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September-October 2019

VOL. 34 THE VIDEO REVIEW MAGAZINE FOR LIBRARIES N O . 5

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Invisible Hands themselves and the international labor mar- HHH1/2 ket, shielding their reputations from the pun- (2018) 75 min. DVD: ishing, exploitative child slavery their profits $24.95. First Run depend on. A powerful, deeply disturbing Publisher/Editor: Randy Pitman Features (avail. from most documentary, this is highly recommended. Associate Editor: Jazza Williams-Wood distributors). Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh) The horrifying doc- Editorial Assistant: Christopher Pitman umentary Invisible Graphic Designer: Carol Kaufman Hands reveals the ex- Kief Davidson and Marketing Director: Anne Williams tent to which child la- Richard Ladkani’s harbor—specifically slave rowing documentary labor of kids as young as four years old—is The Devil’s Miner (VL- Contributing Writers rampant worldwide. Filmmaker Shraysi Tan- 9/06) brilliantly person- don bravely confronts multiple situations on alizes the story of child Sean Axmaker, Reviewer, several continents where children are forced labor told in Invisible Seattle Times, Turner Classic Movies Online, to work without breaks or sick days, from Hands, focusing on two Parallax View farm labor in the U.S. to cocoa plantations Bolivian brothers, 14-year-old Basilio Kathleen C. Fennessy, Reviewer, in Ghana; from underground cobalt mines and 12-year-old Bernardino Vargas, who The Stranger in the Democratic Republic of Congo (for our work in a small silver mine. As reviewer cell phones), to tobacco fields in Indonesia. Frank Swietek noted, “the film is largely Susan Granger, SSG Syndicate Viewers will learn that few protections exist narrated by the boys, with Basilio taking Donald Liebenson, Reviewer, for these helpless young bodies from particu- the lead in describing their impoverished Entertainment Weekly, Amazon.com larly toxic pesticides (Donald Trump reversed circumstances, fear of mining disasters Stephen Rees, Librarian, formerly with a ban imposed by the Obama administration and lung disease, and hopes for a better Bucks Co. Free Library, Levittown, PA on several such poisons), and that there are future, symbolized by the family’s efforts dangerous levels of nicotine in the blood of to scrape together funds to finance Basil- Frank Swietek, Associate Professor of History, University of Dallas, TX children who handle tobacco leaves all day. io’s schooling—a goal partially realized Tandon wants Americans to think long and by his taking a job in a larger, even hard as consumers about who’s out there more dangerous mine. Exceptionally Additional Contributors: paying a heavy price for our gadgets, candy, well-made and deeply affecting, [this is] and cigarettes. The importance of that consid- highly recommended.” Sue-Ellen Beauregard eration multiplies as the film makes clear how Charles Cassady corporations such as Nestlé and Unilever put distancing layers of supply chains between Cover Photo: Courtesy of First Run Features Phil Hall Tom Keogh Lisa Martincik TABLE OF CONTENTS Trudie Root Michael Sandlin Video Newsbriefs 4 Relationships & Sexuality 54 Books Into Movies 6 Food & Spirits 54 Mixed Media 8 Pets 54 Video Librarian (ISSN: 0887-6851) is pub- Video Movies Business & Economics lished bi-monthly by Video Librarian, 9479 14 55 Bayshore Dr. NW, Suite 203, Silverdale, WA TV on Video Sports, Games & Recreation 98383. Subscriptions: $64 for one year in the 41 55 United States; $69 (US) in Canada (includes Key to Star Ratings The Arts GST); $86 elsewhere. Address all correspon- 44 56 dence to Video Librarian, 9479 Bayshore Video Reviews History & Current Events Dr. NW, Suite 203, Silverdale, WA 98383. 44 57 Periodicals Postage Paid at Silverdale, WA Children’s Biography and at additional mailing offices.POST - 44 59 MASTER: Send address changes to Video Psychology & Self-Help Series Update Librarian, 9479 Bayshore Dr. NW, Suite 203, 44 61 Silverdale, WA 98383. Copyright © 2019 by Religion & Philosophy Japanese Anime Randy Pitman. All rights reserved. 46 62 Telephone/Fax/E-mail Social & Political Issues 46 Music/Dance 65 Subscriptions: (800) 692-2270 Teen Issues 49 Distributor Addresses 68 Editorial: (360) 626-1259 Advertising: (800) 265-7965 Law & Crime 50 Title Index 69 Fax: (360) 626-1260 E-mail: [email protected] Nature, Math & Science 51 Advertiser Directory 69 Web: www.videolibrarian.com Health & Fitness 52 Final Frame 70

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 3 VIDEO LIBRARIAN Video Newsbriefs EPFMedia.com John Waters’s “Polyester,” this new landmark documentary se- Chaplin’s “The Circus,” Ernst ries, Burns chron- Lubitsch, and More on icles the history of the uniquely Criterion Collection’s American art form September Slate of country music, starting from its The Criterion Collection’s September early days in the slate kicks off September 3 with a 4K 1920s and follow- Blu-ray restoration of Marco Bellocchio’s ing up through the provocative 1965 Italian-language de- mid-1990s while focusing on the person- but Fists in the Pocket (Blu-ray: $39.95), al stories of the fascinating characters which follows a young man who takes who created and shaped the genre. Stars drastic measures to rid his grotesquely including the Carter Family, Hank Wil- dysfunctional family of its various af- liams, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Johnny flictions. Coming on September 10 is Cash, Charley Pride, Willie Nelson, Ritwik Ghatak’s 1960 family tragedy The Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Garth A musical journey that tells the story Cloud-Capped Star (DVD: $29.95, Blu-ray: Brooks, and many more are showcased, of Afro-Colombian women singers $39.95), a masterpiece of Bengali cinema and the series also looks at the origins and their music of resistance, hardship that tells the story of a family uprooted of the genre, including ballads, minstrel and survival. by the Partition of India who have come music hymns, and the blues, back to 70 mins, DVD $29.95, PPR $250 UPC: 6-82086-16021-4 to depend on the eldest daughter, the the days when it was first recorded and self-sacrificing Neeta (Supriya Choud- called “hillbilly music.” Illustrating the hury). Arriving September 17 is Ernst fact that country music was never just Lubitsch’s 1946 final filmCluny Brown one style but a broad American mixture (DVD: $29.95, Blu-ray: $39.95), a zany that became a major cultural force, the comedy of manners set in England on the series also include bonus features such cusp of World War II, starring Jennifer as a behind-the-scenes featurette with Jones as an irrepressible heroine sent to additional material gleaned from hours work as a parlor maid at a stuffy country of interviews. manor. Also slated for September 17 is filth maestro John Waters’s 1981 film Polyester (DVD: $29.95, Blu-ray: $39.95), “Be Natural” Documentary on featuring Divine as Baltimore housewife Filmmaker Alice Guy-Blaché Francine Fishpaw, a heroine blessed with a keen sense of smell, cursed with a trou- Available Now from Kino bled family, and relieved by a handsome Lorber hunk (Tab Hunter). Scheduled for Sep- Kino Lorber has newly released Be Nat- tember 24 is Charlie Chaplin’s 1928 final ural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché A small community in Mexico silent era filmThe Circus (DVD: $29.95, (DVD: $29.99). Directed by Pamela B. searches for a sustainable way of life Blu-ray: $39.95), featuring Chaplin’s Green and narrated by Jodie Foster, Be in one of the world’s most threatened Little Tramp as he flees into a traveling ecosystems. Natural is a comprehensive documentary circus and soon becomes the star of the 95 mins, DVD $29.95, PPR $250 UPC: 6-82086-16022-1 portrait of cinema’s first female director, show. Also coming September 24 is a 2K screenwriter, producer, and studio own- digital restoration of Bill Forsyth’s offbeat er, Alice Guy-Blaché, whose innovative 1983 small-town fable Local Hero (DVD: 2 and groundbreaking films are only now discs, $29.95; Blu-ray: $39.95), in which a beginning to be fully appreciated. In a Texas oil guy (Peter Riegert) is dispatched career spanning two decades and two by his crackpot boss (Burt Lancaster) to countries, Guy-Blaché wrote, produced, a remote seaside village in Scotland with and/or directed 1,000 films, including orders to buy out the town for a planned comedies, Westerns, and dramas, as well oil refinery. as films with still-controversial subject matter related to child and spouse abuse, Ken Burns’s Landmark immigration, anti-Semitism, and female empowerment. Bringing the “Belle Épo- “Country Music” Documentary que” to life using a cutting-edge blend of Series Coming September 17 animation and archival footage, the film also features interviews with filmmakers from PBS and actors including the late Agnès Var- Coinciding with the national broad- da, Ava DuVernay, Geena Davis, Julie cast premiere, PBS Distribution will This documentary explores African Taymor, Gillian Armstrong, Ben Kingsley, identity in Mexico City. It is an release director and producer Ken Burns’s and Kathleen Turner, as well as historians identity that goes beyond the color of Country Music (DVD: 8 discs, $99.99; Blu- and archivists including Serge Bromberg one's skin. ray: 8 discs, $129.99) on September 17. In and Kevin Brownlow. 23 mins, DVD $29.95, PPR $250 UPC 6-82086-16023-8 95 mins, DVD $29.95, PPR $250 UPC: 6-82086-16022-1

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 4 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019

Books Into Movies

The following fi lms based on books are slated to open during September and October. Movie release dates are subject to change.

Coming in September STREAMING VIDEO FOR ALL LIBRARIES It: Chapter Two (Sept. 6) is a sequel to 2017’s It, both based on horror master Ste- phen King’s 1986 epic coming-of-age phobia drama. Directed by Andy Muschietti, the film stars James Mc- Avoy, Jessica Chastain, and Bill Skars- gård as murderous clown Pennywise.

The Goldfinch (Sept. 13) is based on Donna Tartt’s 2013 Pulitzer Prize-winning coming-of-age novel. Directed by John Crowley, the drama stars Ansel Elgort, Oakes Fegley, Nicole Kidman, and Jeffrey Wright.

Coming in October

Jojo Rabbit (Oct. 18) is based on Chris- tine Leunens’s 2008 novel Caging Skies. Di- rected by Taika Waiti- ti, the WWII-era black dramedy stars Roman Griffi n Davis, Scarlett Johansson, Thomasin McKenzie, and Sam Rockwell.

Looking Ahead

Slated for Novem- ber is Doctor Sleep, an adaptation of Stephen King’s 2013 follow-up to his 1977 classic The Shining. Directed by Mike Flanagan, the film stars Ewan Mc- Gregor, Rebecca Fer- guson, and Carl Lumbly.

Also coming in No- vember is Motherless Brooklyn, based on Jonathan Lethem’s 1999 novel about an NYC detective with Tourette’s. Directed by and starring Edward Norton, the cast includes Willem Dafoe and Bruce Willis.

VL_SeptOct2019_FODproducers_final.inddVIDEO LIBRARI A1 N 6 8/14/19 3:13 PMSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 COMING IN OCTOBER FROM National Media Market World class professional development for librarians who collect and manage ﬁ lm and video plus content offers from vendors you know and trust. And NO travel. If your conference budget is getting tighter, now you can get NMM’s most valuable features without the drawbacks. It’s all starting this Fall with sessions including: ■ Improving PDA and DDA (vendor and librarian perspectives) ■ Entertainment law and libraries, including Netﬂ ix, Amazon, Hulu Learn more! Sign up for the NMM newsletter at NMM.NET.

Tens of thousands of titles published ONLY on VHS are no longer commercially available. As a library with a signifi cant investment in VHS and a need to make sure that content remains viable, what are your options? Digitizing under US Copyright Section 108 is viable, but expensive and time-consuming. We started the Academic Libraries Video Trust so libraries can share the time, cost and research about the copyright-related issues associated with this process. The ALVT is a cloud-based content repository, run as a cooperative, that ANY library can join. Unlike a streaming service or a distributor, ALVT provides library- videotrust.org staff access to ready-to-use fi les for content you already own on VHS, and the ability to share fi les you’ve digitized with other libraries that also own the content on VHS. Visit our site now, at videotrust.org, so you can see our growing database, the group of fl agship libraries that helped us get started, and our generous terms of membership. We’re happy to answer your questions! A project of the National Media Market Visit our FAQ page and contact us directly. [email protected] Hosted and sponsored by Docuseek Mixed Media

Mixed Media features new release NASCAR Heat 4 her mysterious powers, gaining new abili- information on upcoming video (704Games, PS4/XOne: ties along the way. games and TV series on DVD/Blu-ray, $49.99, Rated: E). In this as well as notable older titles that racing simulation game, Trine 4: The Night- are re-priced or new to DVD/Blu-ray. players test their driv- mare Prince (Modus, ing skills across three PS4/Switch/XOne: $29.99, NASCAR national series Rated: RP). This beloved Video Games and an Xtreme Dirt Tour, 2.5D action-puzzle ad- Note: Entertainment Software Ratings with an enhanced career mode. venture series returns as Board (ESRB) ratings for video games are: E the three heroes—Ama- (Everyone), E10+ (Everyone 10+), T (Teen), NHL 20 (EA Sports, PS4/XOne: $59.99, deus the Wizard, Pontius M (Mature), and RP (Rating Pending). Rated: E10+). This latest iteration of the the Knight, and Zoya the Some titles are not rated until just prior to hockey simulation game features over 45 Thief—are sent on a quest release date. new shot types that make every attack on to retrieve the troubled young Prince Selius. the ice a threat. Available Now October 20—October 26 September 15—September 21 Astral Chain (Nintendo, Switch: $59.99, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (Ac- Rated: T). In this third-person action game, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awak- tivision, PS4/XOne: $59.99, Rated: M). In players can choose between a male and ening (Nintendo, Switch: $59.99, Rated: this latest entry in the famed first-person female character in a police special task E). Players explore a reimagined Kohol- action-shooter series, players engage in force that is up against mysterious, alien- int Island as Link in this third-person breathtaking covert operations throughout like invaders. action-RPG, a reboot of the classic 1993 iconic European cities and volatile expans- Gameboy game. es of the Middle East. September 1—September 7 September 22—September 28 MediEvil (Sony, PS4: $29.99, Rated: T). NBA 2K20 (2K, PS4/Switch/XOne: Players step into the bones of Sir Daniel $59.99, Rated: E). The latest entry in this FIFA 20 (EA Sports, PS4/XOne: $59.99, Fortesque, a slightly-inept (and long dead) popular basketball simulation series fea- Rated: RP). This latest entry in the hit knight accidentally resurrected by his tures exceptional graphics and gameplay soccer simulation series includes both greatest enemy in this reboot of the classic along with unparalleled player control and professional play and an all-new authentic third-person action-adventure game. customization. street football mode. The Outer Worlds September 8—September 14 The Surge 2 (Focus (Private Division, PS4/ Home Interactive, PS4/ XOne: $59.99, Rated: M). Borderlands 3 (2K, XOne: $59.99, Rated: M). In this first-person RPG PS4/XOne: $59.99, Rated: In this third-person sci-fi set in Halcyon—a colony M). The beloved first-per- action-RPG sequel, play- at the edge of the galaxy son shooter-looter fran- ers explore the sprawling, owned and operated by a chise returns with an devastated city of Jericho, corporate board—players all-new mayhem-fueled where they face imposing foes. must fight the alien monsters left behind adventure in which play- when the terraforming didn’t exactly go ers step into the shoes September 29—October 5 according to plan. of one of four brand new Vault Hunters, each with deep skill trees, abilities, and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Break- WWE 2K20 (2K, PS4/XOne: $59.99, Rat- customization. point (UbiSoft, PS4/XOne: $59.99, Rated: ed: T). The popular wrestling game returns M). In this third-person shooter, players with a massive roster of WWE’s and NXT’s Daemon X Machina (Nintendo, become a Ghost—an Elite US Special Op- most popular superstars and legends. Switch: $59.99, Rated: RP). In this erations soldier—fighting your brothers third-person shooter, players suit up in who have turned against you. October 27—November 2 the Arsenal (customizable mechanized flying battle armor) to defend Earth and October 6—October 12 Luigi’s Mansion 3 (Nintendo, Switch: defeat corrupted A.I.-controlled robots. $59.99, Rated: E). In this third-person GRID (THQ Nordic, PS4/XOne: action-adventure game, Luigi embarks on Gears 5 (Microsoft, $59.99, Rated: E). Capturing intense mo- a dream vacation with Mario and friends XOne: $59.99, Rated: M). ment-to-moment racing action, this addi- after receiving an invitation to a luxurious With all-out war descend- tion to the touring series returns with an hotel—but his dream quickly becomes a ing, Kait Diaz breaks away all-new experience as players define their nightmare. to uncover her connec- legacies in the motorsport world. tion to the enemy and discovers the true danger Indivisible (505 Games, PS4/Switch/ TV on DVD/Blu-ray to Sera—herself—in this XOne: $39.99, Rated: E10+). In this 2D new third-person action entry in the action-platforming RPG featuring hand Available Now long-running franchise. drawn-art, Ajna sets out on a globe-spanning journey to discover the truth behind American Gods: Season Two (Lionsgate,

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 8 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 New Releases from PBS

PRESS is a sharp, fast-paced series from acclaimed writer Mike Bartlett COUNTRY MUSIC, an eight-part, (Doctor Foster) that rips aside the 16-hour documentary series from front pages of rival newspapers to Ken Burns, chronicles the history reveal the lives, loves, and lies of a of a uniquely American art form, dynamic group of journalists. Under focusing on the biographies of relentless pressure from the 24- the fascinating characters who hour news cycle, these passionate created it. The ﬁ lm follows the professionals go to extraordinary evolution of country music from lengths to uncover stories and its diverse and humble origins get them into print. They hold as it emerged, by the end of the powerful to account and turn the twentieth century, into a ordinary people’s lives into headlines, worldwide phenomenon. but can they face up to the truth about themselves?

NOVA explores the awesome beauty of the planets in this With breathtaking CGI, beautiful breathtaking ﬁ ve-part series. landscape footage, and some of the Special effects and extraordinary world’s most important astronomical footage captured by space artifacts, Ancient Skies looks at the probes provide an up-close look universe through the eyes of our anat Saturn’s 45,000-mile-wide cestors, charting our changing view rings, Mars’ towering ancient of the cosmos throughout history. waterfalls, and Neptune’s Cutting-edge animation showcases supersonic winds. Along the way, our ever-evolving understanding NOVA reveals how each of these of how the universe works and our spectacular worlds has shaped place in an ever-expanding cosmos. our own planet: Earth.

THE MAGICAL LAND OF OZ Discover the evolutionary travels the Australian continent, secrets of some of the world’s from the land’s highest snow most majestic creatures. From peaks to the depths of the voracious crocodiles and acrobatic frigid and wild southern seas, birds to stupendous whales and entertaining and deepening majestic elephants, When Whales our understanding of how the Walked follows scientists on a global natural world is made up of not adventure as they follow clues just unique species, but distinct from fossil records and change individuals, whose lives are far what we thought we knew about from predictable. the evolution of iconic beasts.

Find these and other DVDs at Education.Shop.PBS.org!

The PBS logo is a registered trademark of the Public Broadcasting Service and is used with permission. DVD or Blu-ray: 3 discs, $34.98 each). This Danes and Mandy Patinkin star in this Riverdale: The Complete Third Season 2019 second season of the Starz-aired series 2018 seventh season of the gripping Show- (Warner, DVD: 4 discs, $39.99; Blu-ray: 5 based on the novel by Neil Gaiman focuses time-aired political drama series. discs, $47.99). KJ Apa stars as Archie An- on the battle between ancient deities and drews in this 2018-19 third season of the contemporary concepts and stars Ricky The Hot Zone: The dark comic drama series. Whittle, Emily Browning, Crispin Glover, Complete First Sea- and Orlando Jones. son (Fox, DVD: 2 discs, The Rookie: The Complete First Sea- $37.99). Inspired by re- son (Buena Vista, DVD: 4 discs, $32.99). The Blacklist: The al-life events, this 2019 A 45-year-old (Nathan Fillion) starts off at Complete Sixth Sea- miniseries based on the bottom of the Los Angeles police force son (Sony, DVD: 5 discs, Richard Preston’s 1994 in this 2018-19 debut season. $45.99; Blu-ray: 5 discs, nonfiction book about $55.99). The 2019 sixth the origins of Ebola stars The Spanish Princess season of the crime drama Julianna Margulies, Noah Emmerich, (Lionsgate, DVD: 2 discs, starring James Spader in a Topher Grace, Liam Cunningham, and $34.98). Based on novels Golden Globe-nominated James D’Arcy. by Philippa Gregory, this role reveals that FBI fugi- 2019 Starz-aired histori- tive turned fixer “Red Reddington” (Spader) Into the Badlands: The Complete cal-drama limited series is actually an impostor. Third Season (Lionsgate, DVD: 4 discs, on the life of Catherine $39.98; Blu-ray: 4 discs, $44.99). This 2018- of Aragon stars Charlotte Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season Six (Uni- 19 third season marks the final episodes of Hope, Alicia Borrachero, versal, DVD: 3 discs, $39.98). Marking the the wuxia action-adventure series starring Georgie Henley, and Harriet Walter. shift from Fox to NBC, this 2019 sixth sea- Daniel Wu, Emily Beecham, Nick Frost, and son of the Golden Globe-winning NYC-set Lorraine Toussaint. S.W.A.T.: Season Two (Sony, DVD: 5 police comedy series stars Andy Samberg, discs, $45.99). Erstwhile Marine Hondo Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews, and Andre Mayans M.C.: The Harrelson (Shemar Moore) takes his job as Braugher. Complete First Sea- a S.W.A.T. sergeant to heart in this 2018-19 son (Fox, DVD: 4 discs, sophomore season of the action crime-dra- Chicago Fire: Season Seven (Universal, $29.98). This 2018 debut ma series that also features Stephanie DVD: 6 discs, $44.98). This 2018-19 seventh season of the motorcy- Sigman and Alex Russell. season of the Dick Wolf series centering on cle club drama series—a the workers of Firehouse 51 features guest sequel of sorts to Sons of September 3 appearances by Monica Raymund and Anarchy—stars JD Pardo, Rahm Emanuel. Sarah Bolger, and Edward Bull: Season Three (Paramount, DVD: James Olmos. 5 discs, $53.99). Psychologist Dr. Jason Bull Chicago Med: Season Four (Universal, (Michael Weatherly) is back at the jury DVD: 6 discs, $44.98). Nick Gehlfuss, A Million Little Things: The Complete consulting firm following his heart attack Torrey DeVitto, S. Epatha Merkerson, and First Season (Buena Vista, DVD: 4 discs, in this 2018-19 third season of the drama Oliver Platt star in this 2018-19 fourth $29.99). Boston friends rally around each series that features guest appearances by season of the drama series set at Gaffney other when one of them dies by suicide in Ben Vereen and rapper Astro. Chicago Medical Center. this 2018-19 debut season starring David Giuntoli, Romany Malco, and Allison The Goldbergs: The Complete Sixth Deadly Class: Season Miller. Season (Sony, DVD: 3 discs, $26.99). This One (Universal, DVD: 2 2018-19 sixth season of the 1980s-set fami- discs, $34.98; Blu-ray: 2 Mr. Mercedes: Season 2 (Sony, DVD: 3 ly sitcom stars Sean Giambrone, Jeff Garlin, discs, $39.98). Aired on discs, $26.99). This 2018 sophomore season and Wendi McLendon-Covey. Syfy, this 2018-19 debut of the crime drama based on the serial season of the 1980s-set killer novel trilogy by Stephen King stars NCIS: The Complete coming-of-age series cen- Brendan Gleeson, Harry Treadaway, and Sixteenth Season (Par- tered on the adventures Holland Taylor. amount, DVD: 6 discs, of a teen who attends an $53.99). The Naval academy for assassins features Benedict NCIS Los Angeles: Season 10 (Par- Criminal Investigative Wong, Taylor Hickson, Henry Rollins, amount, DVD: 6 discs, $53.90). Chris Service trudges on in and Ice-T. O’Donnell, LL Cool J, Nia Long, Linda this 2018-19 16th season Hunt, and Eric Christian Olsen are back of the police procedural The Flash: The Complete Fifth Season in this 2018-19 10th season of the military series that features guest (Warner, DVD: 5 discs, $39.99; Blu-ray: 4 police procedural drama series. stars Fred Dryer, Dee Wallace, and Dabney discs, $44.99). An adult daughter from the Coleman. future is the least of worries for superhu- New Amsterdam: Season One (Uni- man crime scene investigator The Flash versal, DVD: 6 discs, $39.95). Ryan Eggold, True Detective: The Complete Third (Grant Gustin) in this 2018-19 fifth season Janet Montgomery, and Tyler Labine star in Season (HBO, DVD: 3 discs, $49.99; Blu- of the DC Comics action series. this 2018-19 debut season of the medical ray: 3 discs, $59.99). Mahershala Ali and drama based on the book Twelve Patients: Stephen Dorff star in this 2019 third season Homeland: The Complete Seventh Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital by Eric of the acclaimed anthology crime series, Season (Fox, DVD: 3 discs, $29.98). Claire Manheimer. this time set in the Ozarks.

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 10 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF INDEPENDENT CINEMA

Montessori: Let The Child Be The Guide 100 minutes, color, $24.95, FRF 917896D ON DVD SEPTEMBER 10 Inherited from Maria Montessori in 1907, the Montessori Method is a child-centered educational philosophy that celebrates and nurtures each child’s desire to learn – an approach valuing the human spirit and full development: physical, social, emotional and cognitive. The Montessori Method is increasing in popularity both in the U.S. and abroad. Curious to see how the Method works first hand, filmmaker Alexandre Mourot sets his camera up in the oldest Montessori school in France (with kids from 3 to 6) and observes. He “A masterpiece in that it captures the natural meets happy children, free to move around, working alone or characteristics of the child...flawlessly in small groups. Some read, others make bread, do divisions, laugh or sleep. The teacher remains discreet. Children guide capturing the children working in a Montessori the filmmaker through the whole school year, helping him Children house. Wow...I have never seen a understand the magic of their autonomy and self-esteem – Montessori video so authentic.” the seeds of a new society of peace and freedom, which Maria -David Khan, Executive Director of North American Montessori dedicated her life work to. Montessori Teachers’ Association

Before Stonewall Newly restored for the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots! 87 minutes, color, $24.95, FRF 917889D NOW AVAILABLE In 1969 the police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village, leading to three nights of rioting by the city’s LGBT community. With this outpouring of courage and unity the gay liberation movement had begun. Before Stonewall pries open the closet door, setting free the dramatic story of survival, love, persecution and resistance experienced by LGBT Americans since the early 1900’s. Revealing and humorous, this widely acclaimed documentary relives the emotionally-charged sparking of today’s gay rights movement, from the events that led to the fevered 1969 riots to many other milestones in the brave fight for acceptance. “Intelligent and moving.” -New York Times “Entertaining and enlightening.” -Los Angeles Times “Funny, sad, courageous and touching.” -Seattle Times

Invisible Hands Moynihan 75 minutes, color, $24.95, FRF 917872D 104 minutes, color, $24.95, FRF 917810D AVAILABLE NOW AVAILABLE NOW Produced by Oscar-winning film- Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan maker Charles Ferguson, Invisible was a colossus of ideas and a man Hands is the first documentary to of deeds. 16 years after his death, expose child labor and trafficking as the nation sinks into hyper- within the supply chains of the partisanship and social media world’s biggest companies. frenzy, the first documentary about his life captures Moynihan Filmed in six countries including as never before. India, China, Indonesia and Ghana, it is a harrowing account of children “CRITIC’S PICK! A sterling as young as 6 making the products portrait of a singular American we use every day. statesman.” -Los Angeles Times “Rich with information and dense “Intelligently crafted and with quiet outrage.” -NY Times enlightening. Joyously brings to life one of the most colorful, “Searing, sobering, informative. brainy characters in 20th-century An urgent plea for us all to make American politics.” -Film Journal conscious choices in our consumption.” -LA Times “The Anti-Trump of American Politics.” -New York Times

To purchase, please contact John Bione at 800.229.8575 x13 or [email protected] For Non-Theatrical/Institutional PPR, contact Marc Mauceri at 212.243.0600 x20 or [email protected] Young Sheldon: The Complete Second amount, DVD: 3 discs, timate 2018-19 fifth season of the political Season (Warner, DVD: 2 discs, $39.99). The $53.99). Contemporary drama series centering on Secretary of State childhood of future Nobel Prize-winner Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Elizabeth McCord (Téa Leoni) features Sheldon Cooper (Iain Armitage) is recount- Lee Miller) and Watson guest appearances by Madeleine Albright, ed in this 2018-19 sophomore season of (Lucy Liu) bring their Hillary Clinton, and Colin Powell. The Big Bang Theory spin-off that features mystery-solving NYC ad- narration by star Jim Parsons. ventures to a close in this October 1 2019 seventh and final September 10 season based on the icon- Charmed: Season ic detective character created by Sir Arthur One (Paramount, DVD: The Alienist (Warner, DVD: 3 discs, Conan Doyle. 5 discs, $46.99). Three $29.99; Blu-ray: 2 discs, $39.99). Based on sister witches (Madeleine the 1994 historical crime novel by Caleb The Good Fight: Season Three (Para- Mantock, Melonie Diaz, Carr, this psychological drama limited mount, DVD: 3 discs, $39.98). This 2019 and Sarah Jefferey) pro- series stars Daniel Brühl, Luke Evans, and third season of the web TV series sequel tect their college town Dakota Fanning. to The Good Wife stars Christine Baranski, from evil forces in this Rose Leslie, Delroy Lindo, and Cush Jumbo. 2018-19 debut season of the reboot of the Chicago P.D.: Season earlier Aaron Spelling series. Six (Universal, DVD: 6 Modern Family: The Complete Tenth discs, $44.98). Marking Season (Fox, DVD: 3 discs, $29.98). A death Gunsmoke: The Fifteenth Season, Vol- another notch in execu- in the family is a major storyline for this ume 1 (Paramount, DVD: 4 discs, $46.99). tive producer Dick Wolf’s 2018-19 penultimate 10th season of the This first volume from the 1969-70 15th extensive belt of police acclaimed sitcom, featuring guest appear- season of the iconic Western series features procedural dramas, this ances by Mira Sorvino, Ed Begley Jr., and James Arness, Ken Curtis, and Amanda 2018-19 sixth season of Nathan Lane. Blake. Also newly available at the same the Windy City series stars Jason Beghe, price is Gunsmoke: The Fifteenth Season, Jon Seda, and Tracy Spiridakos. Supergirl: The Complete Fourth Sea- Volume 2. son (Warner, DVD: 5 discs, $39.99; Blu-ray: Hawaii Five-0: The Ninth Season (Para- 4 discs, $44.98). Reporter and superhero Tell Me a Story: Season One (Para- mount, DVD: 6 discs, $53.99). This 2018-19 alien Kara (Melissa Benoist) deals with mount, DVD: 3 discs, $29.98). Based on a ninth season of the reboot of the Aloha a Russian doppelganger in this 2018-19 Spanish TV series, this 2018-19 first season State police action series features guest stars fourth season of the DC Comics live-ac- of the psychological thriller web antholo- including Louis Gossett Jr., Joan Collins, tion series. gy series that adds contemporary creepy Taryn Manning, and Gladys Knight. twists to fairy tales stars James Wolk, Billy September 24 Magnussen, and Kim Cattrall. SEAL Team: Season Two (Paramount, DVD: 5 discs, $53.99). David Boreanaz, American Horror October 8 Max Thieriot, and Jessica Paré star in this Story: Apocalypse (Fox, 2018-19 sophomore season of the military DVD: 3 discs, $29.98). Life with Lucy: The Complete Series drama series following a submarine unit Set in the aftermath of a (Paramount, DVD: 3 discs, $46.99). Lucille of the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Devel- nuclear apocalypse, this Ball stars in this short-lived 1986 sitcom opment Group. 2018 eighth season of that also features Gale Gordon, Jenny showrunner Ryan Mur- Lewis, and Kellie Martin. Supernatural: The Complete Four- phy’s chilling anthology teenth Season (Warner, DVD: 5 discs, series stars Joan Collins, October 15 $44.99; Blu-ray: 3 discs, $49.99). Coming off Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange, Gabourey the heels of last season’s parallel universe Sidibe, and Emma Roberts. The Returned: The Complete Second drama, this penultimate 2018-19 14th Season (Music Box, DVD: 2 discs, $29.95, season of the dark urban fantasy series Billions: Season Four (Showtime, DVD: Blu-ray: $34.95). Anne Consigny, Frédéric stars Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, and 4 discs, $39.99). 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Caity Lotz, Brandon Routh, and Maisie fifth season based on the Richardson-Sellers. novels by British crime September 17 author Ann Cleeves stars Madam Secretary: Season 5 (Para- Douglas Henshall and Elementary: The Final Season (Par- mount, DVD: 5 discs, $49.99). The penul- Rakie Ayola.

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A Return to Grace: Flying High Harriet Tubman: Luther's Life and Legacy for the Glory of God They Called Her Moses The great drama of Martin Luther’s life Pilot and world champion runner Orville Rogers Harriet Tubman is a familiar and revered name comes alive in this vivid portrayal of the trained bomber pilots in World War II, flew the in American history. But many are unfamiliar penniless monk’s quest for truth—a quest B-36 on secret missions during the Korean with the details of her remarkable story and that would re-shape the church, and the Conflict, ferried airplanes to remote missions, the inner motivations that drove her. Discover world. Perhaps the most faithful movie and managed to squeeze in a 31-year career as the real Harriet Tubman in this compelling about Luther’s life ever made, the film does a pilot. As if that wasn’t enough, Orville took up documentary narrated by actress Alfrelynn not shy away from the deep questions—and running at age 51 and ran his first marathon six Roberts. It features expert interviews with answers—that mark Luther as one of the years later. At age 90 he broke two world leading scholars and includes early 20th most influential people of the last thousand records. He holds 15 world records to date and century audio recordings of African-American years. Drama, 105 minutes. continues to compete annually. Invariably, he spirituals sung by former slaves. Documentary, 45 minutes. #501783D, $14.99, UPC 7 27985 01783 9 wins. Documentary, 44 minutes. #501804D, $14.99, UPC 7 27985 01804 1 #501822D, $14.99, UPC 7 27985 01822 5

Alaska Missionaries I Lived on Parker Avenue Newton’s Grace: Alaska Missionaries is a six-episode reality Adopted at birth and raised in Louisiana, The True Story of “Amazing Grace” series about a team of intrepid missionaries David Scotton is on a journey to Indiana to John Newton was a troubled young man who run the Suicide Prevention Summer meet the birth parents he’s never known. His with a violent temper and a penchant for Camp at Camp Nahshii on the upper Yukon tattooed birth mother, Melissa, and reserved vulgarity. Following a powerful conversion River in central Alaska. Follow these birth father, Brian, anxiously wait for him, experience at sea, Newton eventually dedicated people as they give their all to concerned David will reject them for became a pastor in the Church of England make a difference in the lives of hurting decisions they made before he was born. This and the writer of several of the church’s most young people, even as the missionaries face documentary is about a mother’s agony in beloved hymns, including “Amazing Grace.” their own challenges in America’s last choosing what’s best, the joy of a couple He also came to hate the slave trade, frontier. Documentary, 168 minutes total. starting a family, and a young man’s search becoming a spiritual leader in the fight to for where his life began. 30 minutes. end slavery. Newton’s Grace tells his true #501838D, $14.99, UPC 7 27985 01838 6 story. Drama, 80 minutes. #501830D, $14.99, UPC 7 27985 01830 0 #501526D, $14.99, UPC 7 27985 01526 2

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tensibly about Shakespeare’s Not recommended. (T. Keogh) This section features reviews of current and final years when he had classic studio, independent, and foreign feature retired from theatrical work Ash Is Purest White films. Each review includes pricing information, in London to be with his HHH family, the emphasis in All Cohen, 136 min., in Mandarin as well as running time, rating, subtitling infor- Is True is actually on make- w/English subtitles, not rated, mation, and street dates for yet-to-be-released up and landscapes—the DVD: $24.99, Blu-ray: $29.99 titles. Most titles reviewed here are widely fake nose and hairpieces Like his earlier films, available through most distributors. required to make Branagh Jia Zhangke’s latest is tied the spitting image of the Bard as portrayed to changes occurring in in contemporary paintings, coupled with HHHH= Excellent modern Chinese society, in this case using pervasive shots of the idyllic countryside. The a gangster scenario within a ruminative, HHH= Good title is deliberately ironic: virtually nothing moody film that features a tripartite struc- is known of Shakespeare’s years back home, ture. The story begins in 2001 with Qiao HH= Fair so the narrative is almost entirely made up. (Zhao Tao) involved with provincial gang H= Poor The premise finds Shakespeare gloomily boss Guo Bin (Liao Fan). A hardboiled dame ruminating on the death of his beloved son from a dying mining town, Qiao saves Bin Hamnet, who died years earlier in his father’s with his illegal gun when they are attacked absence. The cause of death is listed as plague, by a band of motorcycle thugs. She then Current Films but Shakespeare has doubts. He also has other further protects him by claiming that the problems on his plate: his wife (Judi Dench) gun is hers, earning herself a five-year prison 3 Faces HHH is used to getting along without him, his term. The second act, set in 2006, follows the spinster younger daughter (Kathryn Wilder) just-released Qiao as she travels northward Kino Lorber, 100 min., in is angry that he has ignored her, and his Persian & Azerbaijani w/ through the altered landscape in search of English subtitles, not rated, married older daughter (Lydia Wilson) will Bin, enduring episodic experiences—some DVD: $29.99, Blu-ray: $34.99 be falsely accused of infidelity. As the Earl humorous, others poignant—along the way. In 2010, Iranian filmmak- of Southampton (a haughty proponent of Although old acquaintances tell her that Bin er Jafar Panahi was forbid- Shakespeare’s genius), Ian McKellen briefly has moved on and does not want to see her, den to leave Iran or make livens up the action, and ultimately all is well she finally locates him, only to find that he any films for 20 years. 3 that ends well, but much time in this overly is a changed and desolate man. The final Faces is his fourth feature since the sentence reverential and sluggish film is devoted to section of the film leaps ahead to 2018, as was passed and Panahi once again plays him- Shakespeare’s determination to plant a garden Qiao and Bin have effected a reconciliation self on screen, this time in a supporting role. in Hamnet’s honor—a decidedly non-dramat- of sorts, but she is now the boss, while he sits The film opens with Panahi driving a popular ic plot strand. Optional. (F. Swietek) dejectedly in a corner, a shadow of his former TV actress (Behnaz Jafari, also playing herself) self, treated without respect by his colleagues. into the mountain region near the Turkish All You Ever Wished For The white volcanic ash alluded to in the title border to look for a teenage girl (Marziyeh H symbolizes the absolute fidelity with which Rezaei) who was accepted into a prestigious Film Movement, 87 min., not Qiao still adheres to the old values, especially acting institute and recorded a video plea rated, DVD: $24.99 loyalty. A long and demanding film that is to make her case to her parents—but may Barry Morrow, the Os- also an important addition to the canon of have killed herself before Jafari received the car-winning co-writer of one of today’s most notable directors, this is message. Jafari is determined to find out what Rain Man, makes his directo- recommended. (F. Swietek) happened and the pair meander through rial debut with this fairy tale rural villages looking for the girl, meeting so cute that it misses genuine enchantment Avengers: Endgame local citizens and learning a little about their by a mile. Darren Criss stars as charm-free HHH1/2 culture: values, concerns, and identity as Ira- Tyler, the son of a successful fashion executive Disney, 181 min., PG-13, DVD: nian-Turkish villagers far from the cities. Yet (James Remar). Bored and rudderless as he’s $29.99, Blu-ray: $39.99 while Panahi presents their lives with dignity, reluctantly groomed to take over dad’s busi- This epic-length su- he also looks at the opportunities denied to ness, Tyler flies to Milan for meetings, only per-hero team-up concludes women and the cultural prejudices that linger to be kidnapped and held for ransom. But the more than a decade of 22 in remote towns, where girls are married off inept hostage-takers get lost driving through intertwined Marvel movies rather than being allowed to attend college mountains and take refuge in a cottage that featuring Iron Man, Captain America, The or pursue careers. Like the films of Panahi’s is under a gypsy spell. When all wake up the Hulk, and Thor, among others. Endgame fellow Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami, 3 next day, the curse kicks in: each man will begins right after the conclusion of Infinity Faces is a road movie, one that explores the fall in love with the first soul he sees. For his War, in which evil Thanos (Josh Brolin), relationship between life and movies and part, Tyler’s initial glimpse is of the sharp- who possesses the Infinity Stones, snaps his uses humor as a way to highlight cultural tongued, Sophia Loren-like Rosalia (Mad- fingers and vaporizes half the world’s popu- conflict and serious issues. A winner for best alina Ghenea), who he subsequently woos lation, including Spider-Man, Black Panther, screenplay at the Cannes Film Festival, this as a servile, jack-of-all-trades. Meanwhile, Doctor Strange, and Star-Lord. The remaining is a gentle and generous film that celebrates the three kidnappers chase after a spooked Avengers include Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), art and artists with affection and irony. Rec- spinster, a gay hunk, and…a cow. Morrow Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett ommended. (S. Axmaker) proves absolutely ill-equipped to direct with Johansson), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain any meaningful feeling for atmosphere, tex- America (Chris Evans), War Machine (Don All Is True HH1/2 ture, story rhythm, or actor charisma, while Cheadle), Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper), Sony, 101 min., PG-13, DVD: $25.99, Blu-ray: Criss is unappealing—alternately whiny and and Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey $24.99 starry-eyed—and Ghenea, for all of her sun- Jr.), who are all suffering from survivor’s guilt. Although Kenneth Branagh’s film is os- kissed beauty, is constantly lost in shadows. After soul-searching grief and the blame-

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FM_SeptOCT_VidLIBr.indd 1 8/14/19 6:35 PM game—along with a time-shifting narrative in which rabbit and duck believe they have and Kyle (David Denman) Breyer. Aboard is involving Thanos’s daughter Nebula (Karen killed Santa Claus and decide to replace him, a healthy baby boy—a heaven-sent answer to Gillian)—Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) and while pig tries to keep them from destroying their prayers. Naming him Brandon, they tell Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) surface, and the cathar- the holiday entirely. The three tales are pre- others that he’s adopted. As he approaches tic action begins in earnest. Directors Joe and sented as sketches being performed onstage puberty, strange things start happening to Anthony Russo deftly juggle the complex that are linked by humorous introductions Brandon (Jackson A. Dunn). While helping storylines and surprise cameos in this long, from the fox—with occasional interruptions his dad with chores, for instance, he acciden- nostalgic goodbye that has no sly post-credit spoiling his spiel. The creamy pastel anima- tally throws a lawnmower 100 yards across teasers. Highly recommended. (S. Granger) tion is lovely, the jokes and pratfalls evoke a field, noting, “I’m special.” So he stalks a a stream of chuckles and some genuine pretty classmate (Emmie Hunter), who once Ayiti Mon Amour belly laughs, and the voice work—in both sympathized with him when he was teased HHH1/2 the original French version and the English for being so smart, but she is not pleased, IndiePix, 88 min., in French dubbed one—is excellent. In our CGI age, calling him a pervert, and then dropping w/English subtitles, not rated, this throwback to the days of classic hand- him during a “trust fall” exercise in gym. DVD: $24.95 drawn animation is a delicious treat. Highly In response, Brandon crushes the bones in Notable as the first (and recommended. (F. Swietek) her hand after she’s forced to help him up. only) Haitian production Brandon then becomes defiant, manipulative submitted in the Academy Blaze HHH and, eventually, homicidal, wearing a cape Award competition for Best Foreign Language Shout! Factory, 129 min., R, fashioned out of his baby blanket. Is all of Film, Guetty Felin’s drama combines neore- DVD: $16.99, Blu-ray: $22.99 this somehow inexplicably connected to that alism with mysticism in a tale that touches The name of Blaze Foley malevolent space pod, vibrating and glowing on the Caribbean nation’s challenges and is not well known to most, in a locked cellar in the barn? Director David resilience. Set in a fishing village in 2015, but the singer-songwriter Yarovesky turns Superman into the Bad Seed five years after the devastating earthquake (born Michael David Fuller) in this formulaic tale that focuses on grisly that destroyed much of the island, the film was an unsung hero of the gore rather than delving into the creepy is divided into three stories. The first involves Outlaw Country movement of the 1970s concept of an evil superhero who is emi- young Orphee (Felin’s son Joakim Cohen), and ‘80s. Ethan Hawke’s Blaze, based on the nently capable of mass destruction. Optional. who mourns the death of his father and is 2008 memoir Living in the Woods in a Tree by (S. Granger) treated as an outcast by many in his commu- Foley’s widow Sybil Rosen, offers an impres- nity. One day, he discovers he has a hitherto sionistic look at the life and career of Foley, Dark Sense HH unknown superpower—but using that power who is here played by musician Ben Dickey Breaking Glass, 94 min., not also means recognizing a new sense of mature as a gentle bear of a man who can quickly rated, DVD: $24.99 responsibility. The second story involves the become violent. The film interweaves the This Scottish potboiler efforts of the elderly fisherman Jaures (Jaures events of the last day of his life in 1989 with thriller centering on a long- Andris), who believes that the only cure for commentary on his legacy from his friend in-the-making rendezvous his ailing wife Odessa (Judith Jeudy) can be and sometime collaborator Townes Van Zandt between a psychic named harvested from offshore waters. The third fo- (played by musician Charlie Sexton), as well Simon (Shane O’Meara) and cuses on a would-be writer (James Noel) who as the story of his love affair with Sybil (Alia a crazed serial killer (James Robinson) has creates a beautiful central character (Anisia Shawkat)—who he met at an artist’s com- some fun moments, but its cloaked villain Uzeyman) who comes to life and decides mune in Georgia—and the arc of his career, with a bloodthirsty religious bent awkwardly that she wants to pursue her own existence which falters as he becomes alcoholic and recalls Dan Brown’s silly, self-flagellating albi- independent of his writing. Despite working violent. Hawke has compassion for the man no-monster-monk in The Da Vinci Code. After on an obvious low budget, Felin has helmed but is unblinking in his portrait of Foley’s Britain’s MI5 intelligence agency determines a fine film that channels Haiti’s indefatigable self-destructive behavior, and while the that Simon and his powerful clairvoyant spirit. Highly recommended. (P. Hall) interviews with Van Zandt (Hawke himself abilities pose a national security threat, of- plays the interviewer) spin Foley into a veri- ficials take Simon and the war veteran (Jim The Big Bad Fox and table legend, the naturalistic scenes of his life Sturgeon) who he’s hired as a bodyguard into defy the myth to reveal a talented man who custody, where flabbergasted authorities try to Other Tales HHH1/2 Shout! Factory, 83 min., in becomes his own worst enemy. Hawke takes reconcile how young nobody Simon knows French w/English subtitles & an unconventional approach to the artist state secrets absent of any apparent surveil- English-dubbed, G, Blu-ray/ bio-pic genre, but while the film’s rambling lance. Director Magnus Wake (is that a fine DVD Combo: $24.99 rhythm may frustrate some viewers, the com- name for a horror director, or what?) does a Compiled here are a trio plicated portrait that emerges is rewarding. solid job of building momentum through- of charmingly quirky an- Recommended. (S. Axmaker) out Dark Secrets, and the scenes in which imated shorts from the makers of the Os- Simon suffers phantom agonies in advance car-nominated Ernest & Celestine, all of which Brightburn HH of the killer’s arrival are effective. But that feature barnyard animals—an officious pig, Sony, 90 min., R, DVD: $30.99, boogeyman—who is preoccupied with the his two dimwitted pals (a rabbit and a duck), Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $34.99 most gruesome of Christian imagery and has and a lazy guard dog, along with the chickens Since superhero origin his face encrusted in some thick mud mask he is supposed to protect—plus a fox and stories and subversive horror or whatever—is a disappointment. Optional. wolf that live in the nearby forest. In the first movies currently dominate (T. Keogh) short, pig, rabbit, and duck must take a baby the box-office, it’s not sur- to its parents after receiving a delivery from prising that someone came Domino H a duplicitous stork; in the second, fox steals up with a premise that combines both genres. Lionsgate, 89 min., R, DVD: $19.99, Blu-ray: some eggs from the henhouse, only to have About a dozen years ago in the rural town of $21.99 them hatch and the chicks adopt him as their Brightburn, KS, a meteor crashes on the farm Set in Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, mother; and the third is a Christmas story of childless couple Tori (Elizabeth Banks) Spain, and Sardinia, director Brian De Palma’s

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FM2_SeptOCT_VidLIBr.indd 1 8/14/19 6:36 PM violent counterterrorism bag, partner, or porn queen—but Kahl seems the money, and the Boy sees her pressure as thriller revolves around a unable to make anything out of the opportu- one more example of how she does not love Copenhagen cop tracking nities here, flailing around in a genre-bending him for himself. About halfway through the a killer who is tied to ISIS. story that features some graphic sexual con- film, the Father (Sebastian Lach), who the When Christian (Nikolaj tent. Not recommended. (T. Keogh) Boy has never met, turns up to help fill the Coster-Waldau) reports to emotional void in his son’s life. The driving work, he accidentally leaves El Chicano H question ultimately becomes how far will the his service pistol behind in Universal, 109 min., R, DVD: Boy go to numb his anger and loneliness? The his apartment. And because $22.99, Blu-ray: $34.99 film’s three principal actors are outstanding, he’s unarmed, Christian’s partner/pal Lars If this is the first Latino and the complications in the mother-son (Søren Malling) winds up getting killed, and superhero movie, the His- relationship are well explored (often behav- Christian is suspended from the police force. panic community deserves iorally rather than verbally). But director Kuba Nevertheless, he is determined to capture Ezra better. When Los Ange- Czekaj’s The Erlprince suffers from fast-cutting, Tarzi (Eriq Ebouaney), a Libyan immigrant les Police Detective Diego electronic voices, and other distractions that who fled a crime scene, leaving behind the Hernandez (Raul Castillo) embarks on a ca- dampen the emotional impact of the story. corpse of a collaborator—a grocer who con- reer-making investigation of execution-style Not recommended. (T. Keogh) nected jihadists and weapons dealers. What gang murders, his boss, Captain Gomez Christian and fellow detective Alex (Carice (George Lopez), assigns him a new partner, Everything is Free HH van Houten), who was having an affair with Martinez (Jose Pablo Cantillo). Diego’s twin Breaking Glass, 92 min., not Lars, don’t realize is that Tarzi’s children are brother Pedro reportedly committed suicide rated, DVD: $24.99 being held hostage by the ISIS leader—and after being released from prison for crimes Love and sex and con- Tarzi is being protected by duplicitous Ameri- he committed when he was involved with flict… What else would you can CIA agent Joe Martin (Guy Pearce), who is the gang. Complaints that Martinez is a expect when a bunch of really after a sheikh released from Guantana- “Midwestern Mexican” who is not familiar randy young men gather mo. Sketchily scripted by Petter Skavlan, this with the local cartel fall on deaf ears, and the near the alluring surf in stilted, nonsensical cat-and-mouse tale bears investigation leads the detectives to Shotgun a Central American paradise? Written and little resemblance to De Palma’s previous (David Castañeda)—Diego’s former child- directed by Brian Jordan Alvarez, the drama works (the filmmaker essentially disowns this hood friend-turned-criminal—and El Gallo begins when Ivan (Alvarez), a gay, expatriate film, which he says was “underfunded”). Dull (Sal Lopez), a drug kingpin who believes that American painter living in Colombia, is and disappointing, this is not recommended. California was stolen from Mexico and wants visited by his straight best friend, Christian (S. Granger) to reclaim it. Reading Pedro’s journals leads (Peter Vack), and the latter’s younger brother, Diego to believe that his brother may have Cole (Morgan Krantz), whose sexuality is Ecstasy H adopted the guise of El Chicano, a 1940s mo- a bit dubious. Clubbing and coupling with Strand, 86 min., not rated, torcycle-riding urban legend and bloodthirsty different people, the characters are locked DVD: $19.99 vigilante who wears a ceremonial mask and into somewhat monotonous action broken Originally titled “A uses an Aztec knife to stalk evildoers in the up only by scenes of Ivan visiting the gallery Thought of Ecstasy,” this barrio. And before long, Diego himself be- where his paintings are displayed, and shots is a near impenetrable blur comes El Chicano. Stuntman-turned-director of everybody romping in the waves of a pris- of quasi-apocalyptic sci-fi, Ben Hernandez Bray’s El Chicano has far too tine beach. When Ivan falls hard for Cole, cringe-worthy eroticism, many scenes that are murky and woefully who is open to his host’s advances, Christian torture porn, and wafer-thin mystery. Ger- under-lit, frustrating any attempt to follow turns from cheerful buddy to harsh guardian man actor Rolf Peter Kahl (who also co-wrote the action, resulting in an incoherent and of his sibling, a radical change that doesn’t and directed, under the name RP Kahl) stars confusing film. Part police procedural/part feel particularly authentic. A handful of sup- as Frank, who is seen on the phone in an early avenger drama, this frenzied, clichéd tale porting characters add a little seasoning to scene, talking about a contract for a desali- full of graphic violence is not recommended. the narrative, but this is ultimately a rather nation plant in climate-imperiled Southern (S. Granger) thin effort—sprinkled with graphic sex—to California. But the rest of the time he drives depict a rootless generation trying to find interminably on desert highways in a white The Erlprince H itself. Optional. (T. Keogh) T-shirt in relentlessly unforgiving heat (but Altered Innocence, 101 min., in never sweats) while constantly recalling an Polish w/English subtitles, not Fast Color HH1/2 old lover named Marie he hasn’t seen in two rated, DVD: $19.99, Blu-ray: Lionsgate, 100 min., PG-13, decades. Typical of Kahl’s ill-advised efforts $22.99 DVD: $19.99, Blu-ray: $24.99 to crank up fever-dream kinkiness, we see Somewhat confusing in Filmmaker Julia Hart’s Frank and Marie, in flashback, frontally nude its superficial razzle-daz- small-scale post-apocalypse and coupling on what looks like a rocky, zle and self-congratulatory superhero fable centers on Venusian hellscape. Frank is convinced that allusions to a poem by Goethe (“The Erl- twentysomething Ruth a newly-published memoir written under a King”), random speculations about parallel (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), who pseudonym is, in fact, authored by the miss- universes, and an annoying motif concern- is on the run in an America that has been ing Marie, and he wants to find her. Deborah ing the impending end of the world, The forced to go back to basics due to a prolonged Kara Unger plays a purring ice queen who Erlprince buries what should have been a worldwide drought. Her desperate effort at knows something about Marie and she directs more accessible tale of family tragedy. At the concealment stems from the fact that she Frank to a desert bunker, where Ecstasy enters center is an unnamed teen (Staszek Cywka, has a unique power, setting off earthquakes a rabbit hole of forbidden fantasy. There are referred to as “Boy” in the credits), a brainy whenever she suffers seizures, so government a few earnest strands in the scenes ahead in prodigy whose controlling, steely Mother agents and scientists naturally want to find which an ordinary, attractive young woman (Agnieszka Podsiadlik) is desperate for him her for experimentation. After nearly being named Nina (Ava Verne) is paid to be what- to win a science competition that has a cash caught, Ruth seeks shelter with her estranged ever a sex client wants her to be: punching prize. Hounded by creditors, Mother needs mother Bo (Lorraine Toussaint), who has been

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 18 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 raising Ruth’s daughter Lila (Saniyya Sidney) film is an expansion of Hail Satan? HHH1/2 on her remote ranch. When the sheriff (David his 2014 short of the same Magnolia, 94 min., R, DVD: Strathairn) arrives to warn them that agents name, which explains the $26.99 are bearing down on the place, this leads to plus sign cheekily added Question: The Satanic a series of revelations about special powers to the title. A dark comedy Temple—a non-theistic reli- within the family—most notably the ability about class and corrup- gious activist group headed to separate matter into individual molecules tion on the island, The up by Lucien Greaves (not and then rejoin them into their original Great Buddha+ centers on his real name)—has a) performs—that have been passed down from Pickle (Cres Chuang), a formed ritual murder/sacrifices, b) drank generation to generation, but only in the watchman at a factory that makes huge the blood of babies, or c) argued that Amer- female line. This peculiar inheritance is only iron statues of Buddha, and his pal Belly ica as a pluralistic nation should honor the fully explained during a final confrontation Button (Bamboo Chen), a scrap collector. separation of church and state envisioned with the authorities, after Ruth has seen the The two while away the nights watching by the Founding Fathers? Filmmaker Penny aurora-like colors in the sky that apparently TV in Pickle’s run-down office, where he Lane (her real name) presents a funny and represent the full realization of her talents, opens and closes the gate to let vehicles in thought-provoking look at the Satanic Tem- which brings about an event that presages a and out. When Pickle’s set breaks down, ple, naturally headquartered in Salem, MA, new era of hope for humanity. Fast Color is they decide to check out the dash-cam which was founded by three members in more a fable of female empowerment than a footage from his boss Kevin’s Mercedes. sci-fi thriller, and while the visual effects are 2013 and grew to over 50,000 strong within Most of what they see—which is shot in three years. Noting that Satan challenged effective in a low-key way, the film does wind bright colors, in stark contrast to the gritty up feeling a bit tedious and pretentious. Still, authority (check out John Milton’s Paradise black-and-white of the rest of the film— Lost), the group is less concerned with doing this should be considered a strong optional consists of tedious conversations between purchase. (F. Swietek) the Devil’s work than in fighting against the womanizing Kevin and his many dates, the definition of America as a monotheistic but eventually they come upon a horrifying Christian nation (yes, the answer was “c”). Feliz Año Tijuana (Happy scene in which the boss kills a woman who Lane points out that “God” appeared in the New Year Tijuana) threatened to reveal his shady connivance Pledge of Allegiance and on U.S. currency HHH with government officials and religious only in the 1950s, both in direct response Strand, 74 min., in English & leaders. The pair dither over what to do—at to Cold War godless Communism. While Spanish w/English subtitles, not one point even trying to consult an oracle the Satanic Temple started out as more of a rated, DVD: $24.99, Oct. 8 at a makeshift shrine dedicated to General satirical performance art group (Detroit’s Jex Alejandro (Luis Deveze) is Chiang Kai-shek—until a tragedy proves Blackmore was a little too heavily into vague- a Chicano studies professor that, in the end, power is all that matters. ly S&M gatherings—graphic nudity alert— in the U.S. While headed to his hometown The Great Buddha+ is a slow and meandering and has since been, uh, excommunicated), of Guanajuato, Mexico, for New Year’s Eve, film that requires a viewer’s patience but the group quickly evolved to target instances he misses a connecting flight in Tijuana, and also ultimately rewards it. A strong optional of Christian iconography/rituals in public is stuck in the city overnight. Too restless purchase. (F. Swietek) and politically-connected spaces. One of the to sleep in his seedy hotel room, Alejandro central legal battles humorously recounted decides to hit the streets and see what the Guy HHH here is between the Satanic Temple and Ar- holiday looks like. But he soon proves to be Icarus, 101 min., in French w/ kansas State Senator Jason Rapert, with the a rather quirky figure who’s a little removed English subtitles, not rated, latter championing a Ten Commandments DVD: $26.99 from the life around him, angering a hooker monument on Capitol grounds (interesting by asking why she’s a prostitute, and being A gentle, funny French side-note: Ten Commandments monuments lured into some sketchy backroom—like a mockumentary about a proliferated in America in 1956—donated curious anthropologist—to get his cards read. 1960s pop star now playing by Paramount Pictures in conjunction with What becomes clear over the course of the to fellow septuagenarians Cecil B. DeMille’s sword-and-sandals epic night is that Alejandro’s deep-rooted convic- while on a tour circuit, Guy The Ten Commandments). In the interests of tions as an educator on the subjects of Latinx stars the film’s director, comedian Alex Lutz, equal play, the Satanic Temple wants to put identity, pride, and history have become as crooner Guy Jamet. The film opens with up their statue of Baphomet (a Sabbatic goat more about long-distance principle than a shaky shot of Jamet as he is approached at figure) as well. Other mini-battles/actions immediate experience. And that disconnect an outdoor café, where offscreen (fictional) include an after-school Satan club, a Satanist is even more apparent when he bumps into an director Gauthier (Tom Dingler) pitches the sock drive to help the homeless, and the attractive American—a former student of his idea of filming Jamet in his life and work. Satanic Temple’s highway-adoption stretch named Ana (Kristine Veta)—who invites him What Jamet doesn’t know is that Gauthier of road (where trash is picked up with—wait to a party. Once there, alcohol and flirtation has a personal reason for this project. But for it—pitchforks). Hail Satan? will make you combine to release repressed passions and a will Jamet learn what it is before Guy ends? laugh but also think hard about American hunger for life in Alejandro, which in turn The film serves up Jamet’s history as a vintage ideals and where real evil lies (the Catholic are met with some pushback by tiny minds. star (Lutz plays Jamet both in his prime and Deveze, who co-wrote the film with director old age, the latter under impressive makeup), Church comes in for a few well-deserved Andrew van Baal, shoulders the movie, his while capturing him with his former wife, knocks). Highly recommended. (R. Pitman) Alejandro a work of guileless humanity, current girlfriend, and with fans taking self- surprising naivete, and a Don Quixote-like ies. All of this is good fun, although there are Hal HHH romanticism. Recommended. (T. Keogh) moments where the film runs a little deeper, Oscilloscope, 90 min., not rated, touching on Jamet’s accrued life wisdom and DVD: $34.99, Blu-ray: $39.99 The Great Buddha+ HH1/2 absence of delusions about his legacy. Some Amy Scott’s biographi- Cheng Cheng Films, 104 min., in Mandarin, in-jokes about French pop culture are likely cal portrait of director Hal Taiwanese & English w/English subtitles, not rated, to go over the heads of non-Francophiles, but Ashby (1929-1988) centers DVD: $24.99, Blu-ray: $29.99 most will find this to be an engaging film. on the string of remarkable Taiwanese filmmaker Huang Hsin-yao’s Recommended. (T. Keogh) films he made in the so-

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 19 VIDEO LIBRARIAN called “New Hollywood” of the 1970s—The women is attacked before other crew mem- olutionary action, ending on an extended Landlord, Harold and Maude, The Last Detail, bers intervene. Many deaths occur, and the segment called “Joyful Arabia,” which both Shampoo, Bound for Glory, Coming Home and sight of bodies piled up waiting to be tossed celebrates the beauty of the Arab world and Being There—before he lost his way in the out of the airlock to drift in the void carries criticizes the images and ideas that the West following decade, producing a string of flops. a kind of hallucinatory power. While some has used to define it. In typical Godardian Without overlooking the reasons for his sharp may consider High Life profound, others will fashion, a contradiction lies inherent in the decline—especially a destructive cocaine find it merely obscure and dull. Optional. way he decries war but sympathizes with the habit—Hal is primarily a celebration of Ash- (F. Swietek) terrorist response from radical Arab move- by’s humane and generous spirit, emphasiz- ments. The Image Book plays like a free-as- ing his hippie inclinations in the “peace and The Hustle HH sociation exercise that is constantly making love” era, compassion in depicting unusual Universal, 94 min., PG-13, unexpected connections, coming across as and troubled characters, and genuinely col- DVD: $29.98, Blu-ray/DVD both lively and obtuse. For those unfamiliar laborative attitude toward actors and crew Combo: $34.98, Aug. 20 with Godard’s mix of intellectual rigor and vi- (although that did not extend to the studio The third time around is sual playfulness (or avant-garde filmmaking) executives he blasted for interfering with not the charm for this tale it will likely seem arbitrary and opaque. But his creative independence). Scott touches of dissimilar con artists who even those who appreciate Godard’s approach briefly on Ashby’s difficult childhood (his clash over territory, which to filmmaking will have a hard time pinning father committed suicide) before proceeding began as Bedtime Story in down exactly what it is about. Still, for those to his work first as an editor and then as a 1964 and returned as Dirty Rotten Scoundrels who appreciate challenging cinema, this is director, essentially offering a film-by-film in 1988. In this gender-reversed version, recommended. (S. Axmaker) overview, with clips and behind-the-scenes supremely suave Josephine (Anne Hatha- footage from each accompanied by admir- way), who lives in the South of France in a Kanarie HHH1/2 ing comments from actors (Jon Voight, modern seaside mansion, fleeces scummy Breaking Glass, 123 min., in Jane Fonda, Beau and Jeff Bridges), writers rich guys. Meanwhile in America, Penny Afrikaans w/English subtitles, (Robert Towne), cinematographers (Haskell (Rebel Wilson) engages in small-time scams not rated, DVD: $24.95 Wexler), and fellow directors (Norman Jew- until one of her marks turns to the cops and Christiaan Olwagen’s ison, Judd Apatow, Lisa Cholodenko). An she decides to decamp to France, where she Kanarie is set during the autobiographical element is added through meets Josephine and blackmails her into a 1980s in South Africa, audio recordings made by Ashby himself, as partnership. Before long they have a falling when apartheid laws were well as excerpts from his letters that are read out, and agree to a bet: whoever succeeds in still firmly entrenched and in voiceover, and comments from Ashby’s conning a geeky American tech whiz (Alex white nationalism not only oppressed the daughter. Although it could have dug deeper, Sharp) can stay on the Riviera, while the black majority, but also targeted individual Hal is an affectionate tribute to one of the other must leave for good. Naturally, both displays of iconoclastic behavior that did not most notable American filmmakers of the go to great slapstick lengths to outdo the sync with the government’s vision of model ‘70s. Recommended. (F. Swietek) other; unfortunately, the farcical goings-on behavior. Schalk Bezuidenhout stars as Johan, are not uproarious, but poorly thought-out a rural young man with musical abilities who High Life HH and limply performed. Hathaway comes is drafted into the military. To his delight, he Lionsgate, 113 min., R, DVD: across as stilted and uncomfortable, while is selected to become part of the Defense Force $19.99, Blu-ray: $24.99 Wilson simply does her customary raucous, Church Choir, also known as the Kanaries. Some might describe cult abrasive shtick. About all that filmmaker Johan, whose musical tastes include Culture director Claire Denis’s new- Chris Addison’s The Hustle has to offer is love- Club and Depeche Mode, becomes friends est film as mind-bending, ly locations. Not recommended. (F. Swietek) with opera-loving Ludolf (Germandt Gelden- but mind-bruising would huys) and Queen- and Kate Bush-worshiping be a more accurate appel- Jean-Luc Godard: The Wolfgang (Hannes Otto). While the military lation. The story is set in a claustrophobic Image Book HHH seeks to use the choir to promote the govern- spaceship carrying a crew composed of con- Kino Lorber, 87 min., in French ment’s vision of church and state, Johan uses victs who have volunteered for a dangerous w/English subtitles, not rated, the choir to discover his own sexual identity. mission—investigating whether energy can DVD: $29.99, Blu-ray: $34.99 Kanarie is a story of personal discovery set be extracted from a black hole—in return A cinematic essay by way against a backdrop of a repressive militaristic for receiving sentence reductions. Two stand of a moving picture collage, regime, with performances by Bezuidenhout, out: Dibs (Juliette Binoche), a creepy scien- this cryptic film by icono- Geldenhuys, and Otto that are remarkable for tist conducting experiments on procreation clastic filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard ostensibly their warmth, humor, and musical versatility. in space who uses crew members as guinea explores the way we understand images. An LGBT coming-of-age story, a distinctive pigs, and Monte (Robert Pattinson), who Using only film clips (many iconic), news musical-comedy, and a very unusual com- insists on remaining celibate, and winds up footage, paintings, and texts chopped into mentary on the cruelties of the apartheid era, seeing to the needs of an infant he cares for fragments, Godard removes his images from this is highly recommended. (P. Hall) obsessively while going about the business of their familiar contexts, juxtaposing them keeping the ship operating. High Life tells its with others, while also adding a fragmentary Let the Sunshine In story in a fragmentary fashion, shifting the soundtrack of music, narration, unexpected HHH chronology randomly and keeping the nar- sounds, and stretches of silence. Godard also Criterion, 95 min., in French rative opaque while inviting viewers to piece manipulates the images—stretching, distort- w/English subtitles, not rated, together the meaning as best they can. Much ing the color and contrast, recording and DVD: $29.99, Blu-ray: $39.99 of it is simply tedious, but some elements are playing scenes in old low-fidelity video—to Juliette Binoche stars as a unsettling, such as scenes dealing with what create distinctive visual textures. Opening mature single woman and the crew undergoes in connection with the with images of filmmaking and writing, the successful artist who is look- scientist’s experiments, or disturbing, as in a film moves through five sections featuring ing for love and companionship in Claire long and ugly sequence in which one of the images of war, technology, justice, and rev- Denis’s decidedly unconventional romantic

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 20 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 comedy-drama. Isabelle (Binoche) easily at- umentary is built around an boss High T (Liam Neeson) “with nothing but tracts lovers, but for all of her individuality extensive interview with wits and series-70 atomizers.” Among those and self-sufficiency, she is still lonely and Mikhail Gorbachev, Gen- menacing them are Riza (Rebecca Ferguson), unsatisfied in her personal life. She’s in a eral Secretary of the Com- a criminal overlord, and the shape-shifting frustrating affair with an arrogant banker munist Party of the USSR Alien Twins (Laurent and Larry Bourgeois), who refuses to leave his wife and seems to (1985-91), offering a decent who exude an eerie cosmic countenance and enjoy sabotaging her self-confidence, she if somewhat one-dimen- can manipulate whatever they touch in their tries dating a self-involved actor who can’t sional biographical sketch search for a crystalline box…aka intergalactic stop talking about his inner conflicts, and of a man who firmly believed in Commu- super-weapon. While the gung-ho rookie/sea- she even sleeps with her ex-husband. Let the nism, yet inadvertently helped bring about soned veteran setup is comfortably familiar, Sunshine In is a meandering, free-wheeling the downfall of the Soviet Union. Herzog and the series has just lost its luster, traveling to journey through Isabelle’s frustrated relation- the 87-year-old Gorbachev met three times London, Paris, and Marrakesh, but ultimately ships and unsatisfied longings that follows over the course of six months, and the film- going nowhere. Directed by F. Gary Gray, the rhythms of her day-to-day life, allowing maker splices bits and pieces of those conver- who cannot juggle live action involving viewers to see her in moments both guarded sations into what is basically a conventional fanciful “aliens” with the same satiric skill as and unguarded. Binoche is luminous and portrait of the ex-Soviet leader’s life, from MIB veteran director Barry Sonnenfeld, this is utterly believable, an attractive woman who his childhood up through his education, a disappointing reboot. Optional. (S. Granger) meets men who are uninterested in knowing swift rise in Communist Party circles, and the person under the physical beauty. And ultimate ascension to the position of General The Other Story HH1/2 she displays her hopes, fears, yearnings, and Secretary. Herzog narrates against a backdrop Strand, 112 min., in Hebrew disappointments in complicated emotions of archival footage and stills, with Gorbachev w/English subtitles, not rated, that play across her face. Gérard Depardieu occasionally interjecting recollections in re- DVD: $27.99, Oct. 22 has a small role as a fortune teller who looks sponse to questions. Gorbachev’s comments The division between into the future of Isabelle’s love life. For fans become somewhat longer as he discusses his secularism and ultra-Or- of French cinema who appreciate depth and tenure through the dismantling of the Soviet thodoxy that marks Israeli nuance, this is recommended. (S. Axmaker) Union in 1991—an event that he still remem- society is treated in rather bers ruefully, believing that giving greater au- melodramatic fashion in filmmaker Avi Ma H1/2 tonomy to the member republics could have Nesher’s The Other Story. The catalyst is the Universal, 100 min., R, DVD: saved the confederation and its Communist upcoming marriage of Anat (Joy Rieger), who $29.99, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: foundation. Herzog lauds Gorbachev for his has recently abandoned a wildly secularist $34.99, Sept. 3 embrace of reform—namely, his policies of lifestyle and joined an ultra-Orthodox sect When teenager Maggie perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (open- in order to be with her intended, Shahar (Diana Silvers) moves with ness) at home—as well as his refusal to use (Nathan Goshen), a former pop singer now her single mom (Juliette force to prop up failing Communist regimes devoted to the yeshiva. In desperation, Anat’s Lewis) to the small Ohio in Eastern Europe and his crusade to elimi- mother Tali (Maya Dugan) and grandfather town where the latter grew up, she eagerly nate nuclear weapons. Whether one agrees Shlomo (Sasson Gabai), a psychology profes- seeks new friends but finds herself besieged by with Herzog’s assessment or not, Meeting sor, summon his son Yonatan (Yuval Segal)— peer pressure. Maggie goes off for an evening Gorbachev offers an opportunity to witness Tali’s ex—home from the U.S. to dissuade the with three classmates in a van that belongs the leader explaining himself before the bar daughter from the match. Upon arriving, to Andy (Corey Fogelmanis), hoping that of history within the context of a portrait of Yonatan—also a psychologist, who is caught strangers will buy them beer, but the only em- up in legal troubles in America—is drawn pathetic adult is Sue Ann Ellington (Octavia his career and lonely civilian life afterward. into one of Shlomo’s counseling cases: an Spencer), assistant to the local veterinarian Recommended. (F. Swietek) observant father (Maayan Bloom) is feuding (Allison Janney), and even she refuses—until she realizes that Andy’s father is Ben (Lucas Men in Black: over the custody of his son with his soon-to- Evans), a security contractor. After buying International HH be-divorced wife (Avigail Harari), who has their booze, Sue Ann informs Ben that his Sony, 115 min., PG-13, DVD: joined a feminist cult with pagan overtones, son is breaking the law. When Sue Ann offers $30.99, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: which has led to the boy’s kidnapping. One to buy beer again, she insists the kids come $34.99, Sept. 3 appreciates Nesher’s desire to confront so to her secluded suburban house to party in Without charismatic contentious a social issue by dramatizing it in the basement so that they won’t get arrested. Will Smith and Tommy personal terms, but The Other Story employs And they are grateful and game, nicknaming Lee Jones, this frantic re- so many high-pitched narrative threads that her “Ma.” But they are not allowed to venture boot feels like second-rate pop culture sci-fi, despite some fine acting, it still comes across upstairs, where Ma has hidden her wheel- revolving around Molly (Tessa Thompson), as strident and lacking subtlety. But its con- chair-confined daughter (Tanyell Waivers). a young Brooklyn woman whose childhood cern with a substantive issue—and refusal to Flashbacks illustrate Sue Ann’s excruciatingly memories of her parents being “neuralyzed” take a simplistic stance—is commendable. A sadistic high school experiences, which left by MIB after seeing an alien has given her strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek) her miserable, traumatized, and obviously insight into what’s invisible to most Earth- deranged—a middle-aged psycho-killer lings. Molly is so determined to discover the Plus One HH1/2 determined to wreak revenge on those who truth about mankind’s place in the universe RLJE, 99 min., not rated, DVD humiliated her many years earlier. Likely only that she tracks down Executive Agent O or Blu-ray: $29.99 green-lit due to the presence of Oscar-winner (Emma Thompson) and becomes the highly To many twentysome- Spencer, director Tate Taylor’s unmemorable secretive agency’s first volunteer. As a proba- things, the forced gaiety of horror flick is not recommended. S.( Granger) tionary recruit, known as Agent M, Molly is weddings means inevitable partnered with glibly cocky Agent H (Chris agony: the emotion-clogged Meeting Gorbachev HHH Hemsworth), who relies all-too-often on his best man/bridesmaid’s Passion River, 91 min., not rated, DVD: $24.99 looks and charm. Apparently, many years toasts, the traditional ceremony, and the Idiosyncratic director Werner Herzog’s doc- ago H saved the world with London division booze-drenched reception—including be-

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 22 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 ing seated at the singles table. So long-time familiar with the cast of characters. A strong when not facing thousands of enemy troops college pals Alice (Maya Erskine) and Ben optional purchase. (S. Granger) by himself. The ruse works, but after three (Jack Quaid), who reunite at the wedding years Pauline marries another, and Neuville of their friends Matt (Beck Bennett) and returns—and he is nothing at all like the gal- HH1/2 Amanda (Jessy Hodges), decide to be each Relaxer Oscilloscope, 91 min., not rated, lant figure who left. But ingratiating himself other’s “plus one” for Southern California’s DVD: $34.99, Blu-ray: $39.99 once again with Pauline’s family, Neuville 10-weekend, marathon wedding season, Like a lowbrow Samuel assumes the role of the larger-than-life figure which also includes a Hawaiian destination. Beckett play, Joel Potrykus’s of Elisabeth’s invented missives, after which Co-writers/co-directors Jeff Chan and An- minimalist comedy places the pair enter a war of wits in an entertaining drew Rhymer’s Plus One follows a somewhat a character in a surrealistic battle of the sexes. Director Laurent Tirard’s familiar rom-com formula about defensively situation and then observes handsome period film benefits from master- combative friends who become lovers after as he reacts helplessly to a deteriorating fully comic performances by Dujardin and repeatedly teasing and tormenting one situation. Abbie (Joshua Burge) is a couch Laurent. Recommended. (T. Keogh) another. Quick-witted, foul-mouthed Alice potato who is egged on by his domineering is still deeply hurt after being dumped by older brother Cam (David Dastmalchian) Rocketman HHH philandering Nate (Tim Chiou), and commit- to complete idiotic tasks within an allotted Paramount, 121 min., R, DVD: ment-phobic Ben’s psychological trauma after time—such as winning a video game while $30.99, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $39.99 his parents’ divorce has made him steadfastly consuming a gallon of milk. Before exiting determined not to settle for anyone but the their grubby apartment, Cam throws down a This jukebox musical/ perfect woman. Also on hand are Ed Begley final gauntlet: Abbie is not to leave the couch quasi-biopic offers little in- Jr. as Ben’s freewheeling dad, preparing for his until he reaches the highest level in Pac-Man sight into the cryptic char- third nuptial attempt, and Rosalind Chao as (the year is 1999) and he will have until Cam acter of flamboyant singer/ Alice’s highly opinionated mother. Snappy returns to win. Abbie accepts the challenge, pianist Elton John, but as a campy musical and engagingly sweet, but also uneven, this not realizing that his brother will be gone for that is probably destined for Broadway, Rock- is a strong optional purchase. (S. Granger) months, and he refuses to give up. Abbie has etman is ambitious, featuring 20 familiar visitors, including a goofy friend who brings songs that are cleverly interwoven to depict Pokémon Detective him food but refuses to give it to Abbie until significant sequences in the life of Reginald Pikachu HH1/2 the latter pays, a woman who advises Abbie to Kenneth Dwight, a musical protégé from Warner, 104 min., PG, DVD: abandon the challenge, and an exterminator Middlesex, England. Mixing fantasy with $28.99, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: who insists on releasing a cloud of insecticide. reality, the film begins in 1990 in rehab, $35.99 Abbie smashes a window for air and breaks where Elton (Taron Egerton) struggles to Satoshi Tajiri’s popu- open a wall to reach a water pipe, and by the come to grips with his self-absorbed mother, lar 2016 Nintendo mobile time Cam returns, an apocalyptic event— militaristic father, love-deprived childhood, phone video game sent chil- presumably Y2K—has occurred outside and and repressed sexual orientation. “My name dren (and adults) out into the real world to Abbie is a bearded vegetable. Perhaps Relaxer is Elton Hercules John. And I’m an alcoholic. capture Pokémon (i.e., Pocket Monsters), is intended as an exhortation to the Abbies And a cocaine addict. And a sex addict. And fictional creatures with special skills, such as of the world to get up and live, but in the end a bulimic. Also a shopaholic…”, he confesses. psychic powers, electric shocks, or sleep-in- it comes across as just a snarky exercise in And the rest of the film serves to illustrate all ducing songs. Taking plot points from the nihilism. Still, it did win over a fair number of that in an unsanitized if also somewhat game, this story is set in Ryme City, a won- of critics, so consider it a strong optional romanticized fashion. Actor-turned-direc- drous experimental world where humans purchase. (F. Swietek) tor Dexter Fletcher stages splashy musical and CGI Pokémon live in relative harmony. numbers, using John’s songwriting partner Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) is the son of Return of the Hero Bernie Taupin’s (Jamie Bell) lyrics to illustrate private investigator Harry, who is believed HHH Elton’s emotional journey. Egerton delivers to have died in a fiery car crash, although Icarus, 90 min., in French w/ a convincing, powerhouse performance, his body was never found. Arriving in the English subtitles, not rated, singing every song, and Bell is intense and neon-drenched metropolis, Tim finds his DVD: $26.99 poignant as Elton’s true brother/collabora- dad’s former partner: cuddly, coffee-guzzling, Arguably a loopy spin tor. Completing the ensemble, Bryce Dallas yellow Pikachu (voiced by Ryan Reynolds), on Shakespeare’s Much Ado Howard, Gemma Jones, Steven Mackintosh, who suffers from amnesia and whose snarky, About Nothing with a farcical and Richard Madden are also impressive, and smart-alecky voice only Tim can hear. With touch of Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, this kudos should go to costume designer Julian the help of cable-news intern Lucy Stevens story set in the French countryside during Day. Extravagant and excessive, Rocketman (Kathryn Newton), billionaire Howard Clif- the Napoleonic wars finds an army captain is sparkly fun. Recommended. (S. Granger) ford (Bill Nighy), and his son Roger (Chris named Neuville (Jean Dujardin) called off Geere), they are determined to find out to battle in Austria moments after proposing Rondo H what really happened to Harry. Is the culprit marriage to Pauline (Noémie Merlant), an Artsploitation, 88 min., not Mewtwo, a beastie created by gene-splicing impressionable daughter of equally suscep- rated, DVD: $24.99 and DNA engineering to be the ultimate tible aristocratic parents. Although Neuville Drew Barnhardt seems fighting machine? Or does the mystery go promises to write Pauline every day, nothing to have devoted much of deeper? There are loads of Pokémon charac- ever arrives in the post. Wasting away from his production budget for ters on hand, including Psyduck, an excitable melancholy, Pauline’s poor health alarms this lurid mixture of sex quacker who induces headaches; Jigglypuff, a Elisabeth (Mélanie Laurent), Pauline’s quieter, and violence on fake blood diva chanteuse; Cubone, who wears the goth- more keen-witted and skeptical sister. Elisa- squibs, loads of which explode in Rondo’s like skull of his dead mother; and Charizard, beth resolves to rally Pauline by writing fake climactic slaughter scene. What leads up to who spurts fiery dragon breath. Director letters from Neuville, imaginative correspon- the bloodbath, however, is a tale so ama- Rob Letterman’s frantic fantasy-adventure dence that makes him sound like a fearless teurishly staged that it carries an Ed Wood is squarely aimed at millennials who are warrior who also managed to make a fortune vibe. The story begins with alcoholic Paul

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 23 VIDEO LIBRARIAN (Luke Sorge) seeking help from a strange genesis was a suspicious “anti-aging clinic” brother Duke (Eric Ston- therapist who sends him to an apartment (one of many during the corrupt reign of estreet). Stressed-out Max where, along with two other “patients,” he is Florida’s then-governor Rick Scott) run by has become overly protec- instructed by an officious guy named Lurdell dodgy “doctor” Anthony Bosch that served tive of his owners’ young (Reggie De Morton) to have rough sex with a as a pipeline for performance-enhancing son Liam (Henry Lynch), young woman as her husband looks on. The steroids and other concoctions for both high- who is getting ready for pre- encounter turns deadly, however, and Paul’s school and professional athletes. It’s most school. But before school sister Jill (Brenna Otts) decides to take revenge famous client: superstar New York slugger starts, the parents (Ellie on Lurdell and his perverted crew, although and wealthy flake Alex Rodriguez. In 2013, Kemper, Pete Holmes) are preparing for a her attempt results in her being taken captive the scandal exploded in the headlines, as a weekend in the country. And that means Max until she can turn the tables and use up all disgruntled Bosch associate stole and tried to must leave his favorite Busy Bee squeaky toy those blood squibs. Rondo is part soft-core peddle the clinic’s incriminating records in in the care of Gidget (Jenny Slate), a flirtatious porn, more gory mayhem, but all exploita- an incredibly clueless act of whistleblowing. Pomeranian, who promptly loses it and turns tion, delivered with a decided lack of the most Corben (Cocaine Cowboys) supplements un- to the cat Chloe (Lake Bell) for help. Mean- rudimentary filmmaking know-how. Awash apologetic interviews with the brazen Bosch while, Max, Duke, and Liam are coping with in poor acting, plodding direction, and banal and other players (not A-Rod, though) with their first visit to a real farm, the undisputed dialogue—as well as all that fake blood—this lengthy re-enactments starring cute Sand- domain of a stately Welsh sheepdog named is not recommended. (F. Swietek) lot-aged child actors all playing interviewees, Rooster (Harrison Ford), who teaches Max lip-syncing (and wearing fake mustaches and about facing his fears and finding courage. Ruben Brandt, Collector tattoos when appropriate). A compelling tale In an unrelated segment back in the city, HHH of a loss of innocence in the all-American superhero bunny Snowball (Kevin Hart) joins Sony, 94 min., R, DVD: $20.99 sport as big money, ego, excess, the MLB sassy Shih Tzu Daisy (Tiffany Haddish) in an attempt to rescue a timid white Siberian tiger High art, pop culture, corporate mafia, and Sunshine State dys- cub from a cruel circus trainer (Nick Kroll). and psychology collide in function fatefully converged, this is highly Juggling various sprawling storylines, direc- this feature film debut by recommended. (C. Cassady) tor Chris Renaud has once again assembled Hungarian animator Mi- an excellent voice cast. As the protagonist, lorad Krstic. The spirited Searching for Ingmar Oswald seamlessly replaces disgraced comic caper follows a team of international thieves HHH Bergman 1/2 Louis C.K., while Ford steals the show as gruff as they steal 13 classic paintings in order to Oscilloscope, 99 min., in Rooster. A sweetly silly slapstick tale—albeit help psychiatrist Ruben Brandt, an art ther- English, German, French & scattershot and not terribly original—this will apist who has nightmares of being attacked Swedish w/English subtitles, not find favor with the intended young audience. by characters from famous artworks. Imagine rated, DVD: $34.99, Blu-ray: $39.99 A strong optional purchase. (S. Granger) a 1960s romantic comedy romp as designed by Pablo Picasso (the characters are drawn Critically acclaimed Ger- in a Cubist style, often with multiple eyes man director Margarethe Sex Madness Revealed and distorted faces) and directed by Salvador von Trotta works both behind and in front HH1/2 Dali. The swiftly-paced adventure sends its of the camera for this richly impressionistic Kino Lorber, 66 min., not rated, criminal super-team to the great art museums documentary portrait of one of the true DVD: $19.95, Blu-ray: $29.95 worldwide, pursued by a dogged detective giants of world cinema, the late Ingmar Tim Kirk’s spoof of mov- whose own tastes run to classic cinema, Bergman (1918-2007). Blending archival ie-themed podcasts features complete with a collection of movie props. footage of Bergman directing actors in Patton Oswalt, who is heard It’s an entertaining jaunt through art history such masterworks as Fanny and Alexander but not seen as Jimmy Mor- with a psychological twist, a puckish sense of (1982) and Persona (1966) with more recent ris, aka The Film Dick, who here offers his humor, and the overriding belief that great art interviews with longtime collaborators online viewers a special treat: a screening of has a powerful effect. The ravishing canvas (including Liv Ullmann, who is also the the actual 1938 cult classic Sex Madness—a incorporates a gallery of masterworks—from mother of one of Bergman’s nine children), cousin to Reefer Madness, about the dangers Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus and Manet’s various contemporary filmmakers (Carlos of syphilis rather than weed—complete Olympia to Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks and Saura, Olivier Assayas), and two of Bergman’s with a running commentary by himself and Warhol’s Double Elvis—and there are cinemat- sons, a compelling view emerges of the great his guest Chester Holloway (Rob Zabrecky), ic nods to Michael Powell’s Peeping Tom and man’s complexity as an artist and patriarch. grandson of the film’s writer-director. As the Hitchcock’s elegant romantic thrillers. And Generous clips from such Bergman classics as screening proceeds, Morris’s observations while the plot relies less on narrative logic The Seventh Seal (1957) and Wild Strawberries about the picture’s manifest ineptitude are than free-association, the imagery is creative, (1957) are mixed with comments about his gradually overwhelmed by Holloway’s reve- inventive, and filled with clever details. Rec- virtues and flaws as a father and partner. lations about his grandfather’s real motive: to ommended. (S. Axmaker) Bergman’s self-exile from Sweden for a peri- blackmail the powerful members of a secret od (and the dark films he made during that sex cult into doing his bidding. According to Screwball HHH1/2 time), as well as his side career as a director of Holloway, this cult was involved not only in MPI, 105 min., not rated, DVD: theater, are also covered extensively. Highly unseemly sexual activities, but also in grue- $24.99 recommended. (T. Keogh) some scientific experiments, the effects of Not many documentaries which persist to the present day. Sex Madness on steroid use in sports can The Secret Life of Pets 2 HH1/2 Revealed is a one-joke concept that depends claim to be riotously funny, Universal, 86 min., PG, DVD: $34.99, Blu-ray/ on the joke building inexorably to an explo- but Billy Corben’s Screwball DVD Combo: $39.99 sive conclusion, but while there are scattered is an exception, taking a Set in New York City, this computer-ani- laughs here and there, the effort fails overall, sardonic approach to a Miami-based doping mated sequel to the 2016 original revolves not only because Holloway’s observations scandal that may remind reviewers of the around Jack Russell Terrier Max (Patton become absurdly farfetched but also because fiction of Carl Hiaasen and Dave Barry. Bio- Oswalt) and his adopted Newfoundland mix the culminating revelation—clearly intended

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 24 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 Best Sellers & New Releases from New releases from

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For information on educational screening rights, please email [email protected]. to be horrifying as well as darkly funny—is carry a torch for him for decades, allowing recently released from prison for a murderous fumbled. Optional. (F. Swietek) their individual lives to be shattered. Film- crime of passion. Noel’s claim does not hold maker Derek Tsang’s SoulMate could have up, but Errol and Ellis decide to continue Shadow HHH1/2 been a complex narrative about two women filming him anyway when they discover Well Go USA, 116 min., in who use their alleged conflict over a man as that he’s a deeply violent man (perhaps even Mandarin w/English subtitles, a medium for a far deeper, unspoken struggle a killer) in his own right. Noel addresses the not rated, DVD: $24.98, Blu- (unanswered desire, or mutual jealousy, or filmmakers in interviews and negotiations ray/DVD Combo: $29.98 desperately wanting something the other with a somewhat forced chivalry, and they in More than a decade af- can’t give). But the hollow theatricality of this turn drip with obsequiousness while trying to ter his twin triumphs Hero three-way slow-motion trainwreck doesn’t keep him interested in remaining a subject. and House of Flying Daggers, reach those heights, although the film does But the foolhardiness of engaging with a psy- Chinese director Zhang boast lavish production design, arresting chopath comes to haunt Errol and Ellis, who Yimou returns to the wuxia genre with this cinematography, and lush music. A strong desperately want to wrap up the shoot but visually stunning tale of court intrigue. Based optional purchase. (T. Keogh) don’t know how to end their movie. Straw- loosely on the famous Three Kingdoms epic berry Flavored Plastic bogs down when Errol set in the third century A.D., Shadow centers The Sower HHH1/2 and Ellis deliberate and point fingers at one on a fortress city that was lost to General Film Movement, 98 min., in another, but Bristow is operating on a long Yang (Hu Jun) during one-on-one combat French w/English subtitles, not leash here that gives him room to go from with Commander Yu (Deng Chao) of the rated, DVD: $24.99 quiet to monstrous in half-a-moment, and Kingdom of Pei. Yu was so terribly wounded Filmmaker Marine Fran- he is the real draw in this tale reminiscent of that he retreated into seclusion, but enlisted cen’s The Sower offers a jolt- (the superior) Man Bites Dog. Recommended, a double named Jing to replace him, and only ing mix of psychological overall. (T. Keogh) Yu’s wife (Sun Li) is aware of the deception. and romantic drama within Jing announces to King Peiliang (Zheng Kai) a fresh and unpredictable story. Set in France, The Sun Is Also a Star that he has challenged Yang to a rematch circa 1851, the story plays out in a rural village HH1/2 to decide the city’s fate, but the cowardly where soldiers are under orders from Presi- Warner, 100 min., PG-13, monarch instead decides to seek peace by dent Louis-Napoléon to kill or capture men DVD: $28.99 proposing the marriage of his beautiful sister suspected of being Republican sympathizers. Jamaican-born high- Quin Ping (Guan Xiaotong) to Yang’s son Consequently, the village finds itself utterly school senior Natasha Kings- Ping (Leo Wu). When the general responds empty of men, which leaves the women to ley (Yara Shahidi) is facing by suggesting that she become his concubine handle all of the farm work. Months pass what could be her last day instead, Quin Ping is furious, leading to a without men, and the women talk of sharing in New York City, as she and her family are breathtaking hand-to-hand battle between the first man who should venture into their scheduled for deportation. Hoping for help Yang and Jing atop a bamboo tower that world. One day, a handsome blacksmith from a sympathetic immigration lawyer serves as a diversion for a backdoor assault on (Alban Lenoir) turns up seeking food and (John Leguizamo), Natasha is gazing at Grand the city. Shadow mimics traditional Chinese shelter, and young Violette (Pauline Burlet) Central terminal’s huge, star-studded ceiling ink-and-brush painting, shot in shimmering is assigned to make the male visitor comfort- when she catches the eye of Korean-American shades of white, black, and gray while also able. But the initial formal nature of their Daniel Bae (Charles Melton), who is heading alluding to yin-yang symbolism. Although it relationship evolves into something deeper for a college interview. She aspires to be an as- can sometimes be overly talky and theatrical, and more passionate—which does not sit tronomer; he wants to pursue poetry instead the film is such a ravishing visual experience well with the other local women. While The of following the medical career path carved that its flaws hardly matter. Highly recom- Sower might seem like a Francophonic riff out for him by his parents. When idealistic mended. (F. Swietek) on the Clint Eastwood classic The Beguiled, it Daniel learns that Natasha doesn’t believe is actually based on Violette Ailhaud’s short in romance, he challenges her to spend SoulMate HH1/2 story L’homme semence (The Seed Man), which the day with him so they can fall in love. Cheng Cheng Films, 110 was written in 1919 but not published until Do they? And can their love survive their min., in Mandarin w/English 2006. A powerful film that explores emotion- respective, angst-filled dilemmas? Based on subtitles, not rated, DVD: al anguish under impossible circumstances, $24.99 Nicola Yoon’s titular 2016 YA bestseller, Ry this is highly recommended. (P. Hall) This weepie from China Russo-Young’s film is focused on problems concerns a lifelong bond faced by children of immigrants, with the between two girls who nev- Strawberry Flavored lead characters loosely based on Jamaican au- ertheless grow up to become Plastic HHH thor Yoon and her Korean-American husband rivals in love, as well as bitter frenemies Breaking Glass, 107 min., not (although neither faced these immigration entangled in one another’s ever-shifting rated, DVD: $24.99 issues). Cinematographer Autumn Durald destinies. The relationship between the This mockumentary cen- Arkapaw delivers a virtual Big Apple travel- undisciplined, rootless, alcoholic Ansheng ters on a pair of filmmakers ogue, capturing Chinatown, the Financial (Zhou Dongyu) and the more responsible, whose ill-considered effort District, the tram connecting Manhattan/ play-by-the-rules, dull Qiyue (Sichun Ma) to create a cinematic por- Roosevelt Island, the Hayden Planetarium, is not overtly sexual, yet they are happiest trait of a serial killer goes off the rails, forcing and Harlem’s Apollo Theater. A strong op- during sensuous and emotional rituals shared the two directors to become part of the story. tional purchase. (S. Granger) in bed. The twist that raises the stakes even Colin Bemis, the real-life writer-director of higher for those pained characters is that Strawberry Flavored Plastic, manages to wran- Tickled HHH both are in love (maybe) with the same man. gle all of this meta stuff into an interesting Magnolia, 91 min., R, DVD: $19.99 Jiaming (Toby Lee) is a smart, decent guy, if sometimes awkward thriller, anchored While the title might suggest a film about but also a kind of emotional meathead who by actor Aidan Bristow as Noel, an alleged a harmless fetish, this procedural-style doc- never knows his own heart, and it’s hard to serial killer who convinces Errol (Nicholas umentary uncovers more emotional pain understand how two bright women would Urda) and Ellis (Andres Montejo) that he was than physical pleasure. In the prologue, a TV

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 26 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 New Releases From OSCILLOSCOPE LABORATORIES

In an attempt to resurrect Luis Barragán’s life and art, boundary redeﬁning artist Jill Magid creates a daring proposition that becomes a fascinating artwork in itself—a high-wire act of negotiation that explores how far an artist will go to democratize access to art.

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JURY AWARD: HONORABLE MENTION DOCUMENTARY FEATURE 2019

Jay Myself documents the monumental move of Jay renowned photographer and artist, Jay Maisel, who in February 2015 after fourty-eight years, begrudgingly sold his home--the 36,000 2019 square-foot, 100-year-old landmark building in MyselfBefore you can see, Manhattan known simply as you have to look. “The Bank.”

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BD CAT # BD-OSC-106 UPC- 850010804019 Street: October 29th SRP: $39.99 www.oscilloscope.net reporter describes narrator nonsense strains credulity, particularly when and emergency supplies to and director David Farrier as they decide to lose their virginity at the same survive a disaster for an in- “New Zealand’s favorite pop time in the same room with two older guys determinate length of time. culture reporter.” Always (who paid the girls 200 euros)—strangers to One day, while stocking up on the hunt for unusual Nini and Jameelah. Of greater plausibility are on canned goods in the su- stories, Farrier comes across a couple of subplots, one that is focused on permarket, he spies Ronnie a call for a “competitive the growing possibility that Jameelah will be Meisner (Blythe Danner) in endurance tickling” contest deported, and another about a lethal clash the checkout line, paying that involves flights to Los between Bosnian siblings over a relationship cash for her groceries instead of using a credit Angeles, four-night hotel stays, and $1,500 with a Serb. Taken together, these various card. Thinking she might be a fellow surviv- in cash. On the evidence of the video clips, story threads don’t form something whole alist, he is eager to make her acquaintance. it all looks rather wholesomely homoerotic and integrated. But Tiger Milk (a reference After starting a conversation in the parking (the male participants remain fully clothed to a horrible-sounding mix of milk, passion lot, they meet for coffee. He’s “on the wrong during tickling sessions). Farrier proceeds to fruit juice, and alcohol that the girls enjoy) side of 60,” divorced for many years, with a contact Jane O’Brien Media for an interview, does feature a few arresting scenes and a grown son (Derek Cecil) who has a family of but representative Debbie Kuhn refuses to heartbreaking conclusion. A strong optional his own. She’s a lonely widow whose daugh- speak to the openly gay journalist, noting purchase. (T. Keogh) ter recently died. And they are both partial that competitive tickling is “passionately to Captain & Tennille’s version of the ‘70s and exclusively heterosexual.” She follows up Tolkien HH pop song “Muskrat Love.” Obviously, they with a series of homophobic insults, which Fox, 112 min., PG-13, DVD: are kindred spirits, so one thing leads to only inflames Farrier’s curiosity, so he enlists $29.99, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: another, although their TV-viewing habits Dylan Reeve as co-director to help figure $34.99 are vastly different. Ed watches a cable TV out what the heck is going on. And that’s This literary origin bio-pic news program in which the anchorwoman when things get really weird. After blogging centering on J.R.R. Tolkien always seems to conclude the broadcast by about their experience, the pair receive a (The Hobbit, The Lord of the talking directly to him, while Ronnie is letter from an attorney threatening legal Rings) begins in 1916 in the devoted to WWII documentaries. Another action, and then three Keystone Cop-like muddy trenches of World War I, where shell- difference: he’s a meticulous neatnik, while Jane O’Brien functionaries fly to Auckland shocked Tolkien (Nicholas Hoult) searches she’s a compulsive hoarder. Jones’s quirky to try to talk them out of their planned film for a friend during the Battle of the Somme, dramedy builds slowly, moving towards a project. Undeterred, Farrier and Reeve travel while imagining German flamethrowers as surprising conclusion. Unfortunately, little to California and Michigan where they inter- fire-breathing dragons. A flashback reveals time is devoted to backstory and character view the only participants who are willing that John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) development, so while veterans Lithgow and to speak about their tickling experiences on was orphaned with his younger brother. Pen- Danner make the most of their superficial- the record. Suffice to say that the individual niless, they were entrusted to Father Francis ly-scripted roles in this idiosyncratic film, it is behind the whole bizarre scheme turns out to Morgan (Colm Meaney), who enrolled the still a disappointment. Optional. (S. Granger) be one of the biggest loony-tunes to ever hit boys in King Edward’s School in Birming- the documentary circuit, exhibiting a sadism ham, and they boarded in the home of elderly Transit HHH1/2 borne of a need to humiliate and control. A Mrs. Faulkner (Pam Ferris). And that is where Music Box, 102 min., in disturbing truth-is-stranger-than-fiction tale, shy Tolkien falls in love with pianist Edith German & French w/English this is recommended. (K. Fennessy) Bratt (Lily Collins), who introduces him to subtitles, not rated, DVD: Wagner’s operas about “one ring to rule them $29.99, Blu-ray: $34.99 Tiger Milk HH1/2 all.” Tolkien also charms Edith with his own Anna Seghers’s titular Altered Innocence, 106 min., invented language, a precursor of Elvish. On 1944 novel about Jewish in German w/English subtitles, scholarship at Oxford, Tolkien finds three refugees trapped in Mar- not rated, DVD: $21.99, Blu- artistic/intellectual friends (played by Tom seilles while trying to flee the Nazi advance ray: $24.99 Glynn-Carney, Patrick Gibson, and Antho- into France forms the basis for Christian Based on a novel by Ste- ny Boyle), and all form a secret society: the Petzold’s film, butTransit is no period piece. fanie de Velasco, German T.C.B.S.—Tea Club and Barrovian Society—to While the plot is not altered, the story is filmmaker Ute Wieland’s “change the world through the power of presented in modern dress, minus the trap- Tiger Milk is largely a girls-gone-wild tale art.” Floundering in academia, Tolkien joins pings that would distance the events from about two 14-year-old best friends carousing philologist Joseph Wright (Derek Jacobi) to our own era. And this makes the narrative through the streets of Berlin with insouciance study linguistics, which will set him on his as relevant as it was 75 years ago, serving up and a streak of malevolence. Although edgy, famous career path. Finnish director Dome a timeless, existential fable of displacement. the basic story would be merely routine but Karukoski unfortunately forsakes all fun The protagonist is Georg (Franz Rogowski), for an interesting twist concerning the pre- for an all-too-respectful, flaccid, and flimsy a Jewish radio technician who has escaped cariousness of immigrant life in Germany, as fellowship tale. Optional. (S. Granger) from Germany and adopts the identity of a well as clashes between multiethnic groups writer who committed suicide, intending to who are at one another’s throats. Jameelah The Tomorrow Man HH take advantage of the dead man’s guarantee (Emily Kusche) is a kid from Iraq who fled Universal, 96 min., PG-13, DVD: $22.98 of safe passage to Mexico. But his plan grows with her mother following the killing of her Filmmaker Noble Jones’s The Tomorrow complicated after he meets the writer’s es- father and brother. Nini (Flora Thiemann) Man is a quirky romance tale centered on tranged wife, Marie (Paula Beer), who is seek- lives with her layabout mother and the two eccentric senior citizens. Somewhere ing her husband, and he falls in love with her. latter’s boyfriend (Nini’s father abandoned in rural America, retired Ed Hemsler (John Georg also interacts with others, including a them years before). The two chase around Lithgow) believes every conspiracy theory soccer-loving boy desperate for a surrogate the city together: shoplifting, stealing from and/or doomsday prophecy that he hears father and his deaf-mute mother; a pathetic men soliciting prostitutes, and provocatively or reads. Determined to be prepared for the orchestral conductor hoping to reach South shouting among pedestrians. At times, their inevitable apocalypse, Ed buys enough food America; a steely Jewish architect left behind

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 28 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 STRAND RELEASING Proudly Presents

Renowned filmmaker Avi Nesher’s latest film tells a suspenseful, poignant, and humorous story through the eyes of two rebellious young women from two troubled families that tangle in the most unexpected ways in Jerusalem. Street Date: October 22, 2019 | SRP: $27.99 DVD # 3900-2 | UPC 7 12267 39002 1 112 Minutes - Color - Widescreen - Not Rated In Hebrew with English subtitles

Beshay - a man cured of leprosy - has never left the leper colony in the Egyptian desert where he has lived since childhood. With his meagre possessions strapped to a donkey cart, he sets out, joined by Obama, the nubian orphan he has taken under his wing. Beshay will cross Egypt and confront the world in search for a place to belong..

DVD #: 3815-2| UPC: 7 12267 38142 5 97 Minutes - Color - Widescreen - Not Rated In Arabic with English Subtitles

Chris can’t get along with anyone. When he’s attacked in the street, Bobby, a manic single dad, jumps in. The two set out into the Montreal night together crashing parties, meeting girls, and eventually seeing Bobby’s estranged daughter. Chris soon discovers that the underside to Bobby’s charm is a self-destructive streak. Street Date: September 10, 2019 | SRP: $24.99 DVD # 3806-2 | UPC 7 12267 38062 6 82 Minutes - Color - Widescreen - Not Rated In English with English subtitles

Adventure, romance, and the resplendent cultural falvor of Tijuana permeate the air in this spirited, high-energy and imaginative film. When Alejandro, a Chicano Studies professor from Los Angeles finds himself stranded in the unpredictable border town on New Year’s Eve, a surprise encounter with a former student unleashes a roller coaster of emotions in Alejandro that brings his inner conflicts of love, belief, and identity bubbling to the surface.

DVD #: 3907-2 | UPC: 7 12267 39072 4 74 Minutes - Color - Widescreen - Not Rated In Spanish and English with English Subtitles

6140 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232 www.strandreleasing.com 310-836-7500 Email: [email protected] by her colleagues; a kindly doctor who also do what you’re going to do,” he tells them, Nureyev’s physical, mental, and emotional loves Marie and plans on taking her to hoping to survive so he can go home when dedication. Unfortunately, Ivenko, a talented safety; and the consulate officials who need mom cools off. Enter Bobby (Joey Klein), a Ukrainian with the Tatar State Ballet in Ka- to approve Georg’s papers. Petzold gives 30-ish loner who steps out of his car and res- zan, lacks Nureyev’s charismatic sensuality. A Georg’s sojourn in Marseilles an off-kilter, cues Chris, punishing the punks with equal strong optional purchase. (S. Granger) vaguely hallucinatory quality that conveys amounts of pain and peculiar, life-coach-like the state of impermanence in which he rhetoric. Afterward, Bobby—who looks like Woman at War HHH1/2 finds himself (and by extension relating to he jumped from the pages of a Jack Kerouac Magnolia, 100 min., in every refugee, or any human being stuck in novel—takes Chris under his wing for a night Icelandic w/English subtitles, a world of sudden, uncontrollable change). of misadventure and madness. A dangerously not rated, DVD: $26.99 The peculiar style of Transit may put off grandiose figure who probably should be on Icelandic director Ben- some viewers, but for others it will make the medication, Bobby is the type of guy who edickt Erlingsson’s Wom- Casablanca-like narrative even more com- takes over every room he enters or every an at War stars Halldora pelling. Highly recommended. (F. Swietek) situation involving his estranged family (or Geirharosdottir as Halla, a Chris) as something that he needs to master, middle-aged choir director who is secretly an We Have Always Lived in challenge, or soak with self-pity. Yet it’s hard eco-terrorist. With her fancy bow and arrow, the Castle HHH not to see the good in Bobby, especially in plastic explosives, and metal-cutting power Passion River, 98 min., not his paternal (if overwhelming) kinship with saw, Halla takes out and blows up sections of a rated, DVD: $19.99 miserable Chris. Writer-director Jesse Klein power grid despoiling a vast green and rocky Based on Shirley Jackson’s (brother of Joey) has taken a classic trope—an valley outside Reykjavik—all to sabotage an titular 1962 final novel, this endless car ride—and infused it with a spirit unwanted aluminum factory. On the run taut gothic tale of secrecy, of chaos and darkness that is cracked by the from helicopters and drones looking for the a family decimated by unsolved murders, characters’ sincere, if sometimes misplaced, culprit, Halla displays an impressive range and a mysterious interloper who threatens efforts at grasping love. Recommended. of survival skills before returning to her everyone’s precarious hold on sanity, is an (T. Keogh) cheerful, musical self, back in ordinary life. atmospheric, highly stylized thriller. Director Her status quo is shaken when an adoption Stacie Passon channels Jackson’s signature The White Crow HH1/2 agency she applied to years before tells her tones of paranoia and dread, engaging in a Sony, 127 min., R, DVD: that a Ukrainian girl is available. Suddenly visual audacity that never crosses the line $20.99 Halla has a decision to make: stick with her into camp. Eighteen-year-old Mary Kather- The title of director Ralph radical cause or become a loving mom. The ine Blackwood (Taissa Farmiga), nicknamed Fiennes’s kaleidoscopic bi- choice places her back in touch with her “Merricat,” is the awkward and socially belit- opic about dancer Rudolf twin sister (also Geirharosdottir), a spiritual tled youngest member of a posh New England Nureyev (Oleg Ivenko) re- seeker who is heading off to India, and a family who were all but wiped out in their fers to a Russian expression bearish farmer (Johann Siguroarson) who mansion on a hill when several members, meaning an “odd bird.” Nureyev’s story be- becomes an ally. Erlingsson (Of Horses and including Merricat’s parents, were poisoned gins in 1961, just after he defected to the West, Men) is a talent to reckon with, serving up by arsenic mixed into a sugar bowl. Local as his mentor/teacher Alexander Pushkin an engagingly original story with vigor and townspeople’s suspicion of the survivors has (Fiennes) is questioned by government agents. adventurousness. And star Geirharosdottir turned to raging hatred, and Merricat has In confusing flashbacks, viewers learn that is fantastic, running across lush wildland to taken to her own brand of witchcraft, casting Nureyev was born on a Trans-Siberian train in evade capture, camouflaging herself with the spells and burying objects on the Blackwood 1938 and lived an impoverished childhood in skin of a sheep, and hiding in a freezing river. grounds to protect her agoraphobic older Ufa (which Fiennes films as devoid of color). Highly recommended. (T. Keogh) sister, Constance (Alexandra Daddario), When his mother smuggled Rudy and his sis- and feeble Uncle Julian (Crispin Glover). A ters into a ballet performance, his future was Yomeddine HHH not-so-delicate balance between all parties is set. Nureyev spent his formative years at Len- Strand, 97 min., in Arabic w/ upended when an obnoxious stranger (Sebas- ingrad’s Vaganova Academy, a feeder for the English subtitles, not rated, tian Stan) who claims to be a cousin turns up Kirov Ballet (now the Mariinsky). Substituting DVD: $27.99, Sept. 24 at the mansion and—sensing the fragility of ferocious passion for technique, he rebelled A.B. Shawky’s film is an the sisters’ and Julian’s situation—throws his against classical authority, becoming known unusual road movie, a tech- weight around in an effort to locate family for both his perfectionism and arrogance. nically crude but emotion- treasures. Recommended. (T. Keogh) When the Kirov went on tour to Paris, mer- ally powerful dramedy in curial Nureyev dismissed “official” outings, which a leper and an orphan travel the length We’re Still Together preferring to visit museums and galleries by of Egypt in search of their families. Rady HHH himself or accompanied by French friends, Gamal is Beshay, whose father dropped him Strand, 82 min., In English & such as Clara Saint (Adele Exarchopoulos), off at a leper colony many years before and French w/English subtitles, not daughter of the notable Chilean artist. Rep- never returned. Although his face is terribly rated, DVD: $24.99, Sept. 10 rimanded by Soviet authorities, Nureyev was scarred and his limbs somewhat deformed, Chris (Jesse Camacho) told that he couldn’t travel with the Kirov to he ekes out a living scrounging for scraps in is a morbidly obese teen London. But rather than return to Moscow, rubbish dumps and transporting them for experiencing a living hell, he sought asylum at Paris’s La Bouget Airport. resale in his donkey-drawn cart. When his regularly assaulted by bullies and locked into The White Crow doesn’t deal with Nureyev’s wife dies, however, Beshay decides to leave a mercurial relationship with his offscreen subsequent Royal Ballet partnership with the colony and search out his father. Obama mother, who apparently bans him from com- British ballerina Margot Fonteyn, later work (Ahmed Abdelhafiz), a 10-year-old orphan, ing home after a quarrel. On one such day of at the Paris Opera Ballet in the 1980s, or death sees Beshay departing and stows away in violence and aimless wandering through his from AIDS in 1993. Based on Julie Kavanagh’s his cart, hoping to find his own family too. hometown of Montreal, Chris is beaten by 2007 biography Rudolf Nureyev: The Life, the Over the course of their long journey the pair two thugs who frequently attack him. “Just fragmented script by David Hare emphasizes naturally bond, experiencing kindness along

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 30 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 NEW THIS FALL! THE GOOD BREAST GHOSTS OF ATTICA “AN UNFLINCHING LOOK.” “POWERFUL AND —Thomas LaVeist, PhD DISTURBING.” Veteran breast cancer —Indiewire surgeon Dr. Lauren Attica. Like Watergate Schnaper believes that and Vietnam, it is an icon fear and ignorance are of recent history. Gov. fueling an alarming rate Rockefeller’s brutal of medically unneces- re-taking of the prison sary mastectomies in —a nine-minute assault America. But for the four that took the lives of 29 weomen in this film who inmates and 10 guards— allow intimate access put an end to the four-day to the ups and downs rebellion. But the strug- of their treatment, their gles for justice endured search for “the good for three decades. The breast” is a necessity. definitive film history of “A poignant the Attica Prison uprising documentary about and its aftermath. the grueling battle NARRATED BY SUSAN SARANDON of breast cancer.” “Top of the line —Bentonville Film Festival in its every detail.” —Entertainment Weekly

THE GOOD BREAST • A film by Bernadette Wegenstein • An Icarus Films Release GHOSTS OF ATTICA • A film by Brad Lichtenstein • An Icarus Films Release 2016 • 94 min • Color • in English • Not Rated • Closed Captioned 2001 • 90 min • Color • English • Not Rated • Closed Captioned UPC # 8-54565-00281-4 • SRP: $29.98 UPC # 8-54565-00288-3 • SRP: $29.98 AVAILABLE NOW! AVAILABLE 9/3

THE OTHER SIDE OF EVERYTHING THE HEIRESSES “THOROUGHLY “EXTRADORDINARY!” ABSORBING.” —RogerEbert.com —The New York Times Chela and Chiquita, both A locked door inside a descended from wealthy Belgrade home has kept families in Asunción, one family separated Paraguay, have been from their past for gen- together for over 30 erations. An intimate years. But recently their conversation between the financial situation has director and her mother, worsened and they begin the dynamic activist and selling off their inherited scholar Srbijanka Turajlić, possessions. When their reveals a house and a debts lead to Chiquita country haunted by being imprisoned on history. fraud charges, Chela is forced to face a “Accessible, informative, new reality. and wryly humorous.” “Finely-crafted, —The Hollywood Reporter beautifully realized.” Winner! Best Documentary, —Variety 2018 International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA)

THE OTHER SIDE OF EVERYTHING • A film by Mila Turajlic´ • An Icarus Films Release THE HEIRESSES • A film by Marcelo Martinessi • An Icarus Films Release • From Distrib Films 2017 • 104 min • Color • in Serbian w/ English subtitles • Not Rated 2018 • 97 min • Color • in Spanish w/English subtitles • Not Rated UPC # 8-54565-00239-5 • SRP: $29.98 UPC # 8-54565-00282-1 • SRP: $26.98 AVAILABLE NOW! AVAILABLE NOW!

EXCLUSIVELY DISTRIBUTED BY http://HomeVideo.IcarusFilms.com [email protected] • (800) 876-1710 the way (as when they fall in with helpful media mogul obsessed with time and punc- now a lonely, forgotten, drug-addicted victim beggars) and prejudice as well (fellow passen- tuality—every clock in his office building is of a predatory doctor who feeds her habit gers on a train try to eject them out of fear). synchronized with the giant clock in the lob- while systematically robbing her estate. The There are moments of joy as the two get to by—and Milland is George Stroud, a family BRD Trilogy films rank among Fassbinder’s know one another, but also painful episodes, man who goes on a drinking binge with Jan- greatest and most accessible. Newly remas- such as when Obama suddenly falls ill or their oth’s vindictive mistress (Rita Johnson) when tered from 4K restorations, extras include donkey collapses. And there is frequent criti- he is fired. After Janoth murders his mistress audio commentary on each film, cast and cism of a governmental bureaucracy that does in a rage, he hires Stroud back to lead the crew interviews, archival featurettes, and little to help the country’s forgotten poor. A search for the man she was seen with. Direc- the feature-length 1992 documentary on touching portrayal of an unlikely friendship, tor John Farrow avoids the more lurid aspects Fassbinder I Don’t Just Want You to Love Me. this is recommended. (F. Swietek) of the story—Stroud never makes a pass at his Highly recommended. (S. Axmaker) beautiful drinking buddy—focusing instead Classic Films on the ordeal of an innocent man trying to The Extraordinary World save himself as the investigation closes in. of Charley Bowers The visual style lacks the evocative heavy shadows and claustrophobic atmosphere of HHH1/2 The Bedroom Window Flicker Alley, 2 discs, 288 min., HH1/2 more traditional film noirs—only one scene not rated, Blu-ray: $49.99 Kino, 112 min., R, DVD: in the basement clockworks presents the characters slipping in and out of darkness in Charley Bowers was one $19.99, Blu-ray: $29.99 of the most ingenious tal- Future Oscar-winning a visual labyrinth—but the direction of the actors is excellent and the pacing builds the ents of the silent film and early sound film filmmaker Curtis Hanson eras, but is one of the least remembered by (L.A. Confidential) first made tension beautifully as Stroud races to find the real killer before he himself is identified in modern audiences. This collection of 17 re- his reputation with this stored short films spanning 1917-40 provides 1987 thriller, which draws deep from the this solid thriller. Extras include audio commentary by film scholar Adrian Martin, new a long-overdue appreciation of this creative Alfred Hitchcock well. Steve Guttenberg plays artist’s distinctive approach to filmmak- everyman hero Terry, a “romantic fool” who is featurettes on the film and Laughton, a 1948 radio play version featuring Milland, and a ing. Originally a cartoonist and animator, having an affair with the boss’s wife (Isabelle Bowers moved into live-action productions Huppert). She sees an assault while looking gallery of stills and artwork. Recommended. (S. Axmaker) that mixed stop-motion animation with out through Terry’s bedroom window but complex mechanically-inspired humor. In is unwilling to come forward, so when the shorts including Egged On (1926) and Many same man murders another young woman, The BRD Trilogy a Slip (1927), Bowers tries to improve on the Terry steps forward to give his mistress’s HHH1/2 food chain by creating an unbreakable egg testimony as the witness. After becoming Criterion, 3 discs, 339 min., in and a no-slip banana peel, respectively. As a the new prime suspect when his story falls German w/English subtitles, R, performer, Bowers’s diminutive stature and Blu-ray: $99.95 apart at trial, Terry teams up with Denise mostly deadpan approach to outlandish phys- (Elizabeth McGovern)—survivor of the first Rainer Werner Fassbinder ical situations recalls Buster Keaton’s screen attack—to trap the real killer. In addition to was already an internation- persona, but also predated Ernie Kovacs in the film’s debt toRear Window, it features a ally respected filmmaker when he embarked creating surreal sight gags that boggled the well-executed set-piece in which Terry rushes on a trilogy of films that explored the history imagination: a basket of eggs in Egged On to stop a murder at a ballet recital but ends up of post-war Germany and the Federal Re- hatch to reveal a swarm of miniature auto- neatly framed for the killing in a theater that public of Germany (i.e., the Bundesrepublik mobiles, while a pussy willow in Now You is filled with witnesses (a scene that recalls Deutschland, or BRD) as seen through the Tell One (1926) grows full-sized cats. Bowers’s North by Northwest). Guttenberg makes for eyes of three women—movies that became sound work—including It’s a Bird (1930), a likable hero but he has little dimension or his first big commercial hits in Germany. featuring a metal-eating avian—shows his depth and the script relies on leaps of logic Hanna Schygulla stars in The Marriage of ability to incorporate clever audio elements and contrivances (how does Terry burst into Maria Braun (1979) as a woman struggling into his cinematic trickery. Extras include the a sold-out ballet hall—twice!—without a to survive while awaiting the return of her documentary short Looking for Charley Bowers ticket?). But Hanson is a skilled director of husband, a soldier reported missing in battle. (which details how French film archivist Ray- suspense and he draws the audience into the Maria’s rise to success parallels Germany’s mond Borde rediscovered Bowers’s long-lost self-made trap created by the well-meaning development in the years between 1945 and films in the 1960s and championed his cause), hero. And Wallace Shawn has a great scene as 1954, but the personal costs to Maria belong an image gallery, and a booklet with an essay the attorney who takes Terry’s story apart in to the operatic emotional world of melodra- by Video Librarian contributor Sean Axmaker. court. Extras include audio commentary by ma. The gauzy beauty of the look in Maria Highly recommended. (P. Hall) film historian and critic Peter Tonguette. A becomes brighter, harder, and more decadent- strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker) ly garish in Lola (1981), a spin on Heinrich Fantomas: Three Film Mann’s 1905 novel Professor Unrat and Josef Collection HH The Big Clock HHH von Sternberg’s 1930 filmThe Blue Angel. Fass- Kino, 2 discs, 304 min., in Arrow, 96 min., not rated, binder’s reworking casts Barbara Sukowa as French w/English subtitles, not DVD: $39.99 the star attraction in a Bavarian brothel, with rated, DVD: $39.99, Blu-ray: Ray Milland stars as the Armin Muller-Stahl as a self-righteous city $49.99 editor of a crime magazine bureaucrat whose fight against corruption is Jean Marais, who was whose latest assignment sidetracked when he falls for the calculating most famous for his leading from his publisher (Charles Lola. Shot in stark and striking black-and- roles in Jean Cocteau’s filmsBeauty and the Laughton) is to track down a mystery man in white, Veronika Voss (1982) is kind of a Sunset Beast and Orpheus, plays dual roles in this this clever 1948 film noir thriller. Laughton Boulevard story set in the shadowy twilight trilogy of supervillain crime films based on delivers a suitably hammy performance as of Munich some 10 years after the war. Rosel the pulp serials written by Pierre Souvestre Earl Janoth, an imperious, micromanaging Zech stars an aging former movie star who is and Marcel Allain in the 1910s. In Fantomas

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 32 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 15

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF INDEPENDENT CINEMA!

10 10 15 29 S S T T R R E E E E NEW T T RELEASES

sisters of the wilderness UPC: 845637000456 SRP: $24.95 mehsampur UPC: 845637062744 SRP: $24.95 Five young Zulu women gear up and go backpacking in the A filmmaker arrives in Punjab to revisit the unsolved murders iMfolozi game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Their of controversial folk singers Chamkila & Amarjot. He is joined journey of self-discovery and healing serves as a reminder of by a fading musician and a disturbed young actress–– shy how we all are intimately linked to nature. collaborators in this ethno-fiction mockumentary.

“Another world is still possible.” – africasacountry.com “A riveting piece of meta-cinema” – Mint

10 09 09 01 17 17 S S S T T T R R R E E E E E E T T T

family intimacy hypnosis to be happy UPC: 845637000333 SRP: $24.95 UPC: 845637000180 SRP: $24.95 UPC: 845637000227 SRP: $24.95 “Successfully combines horror and Two young adults in Shanghai break Two lonely beings seek adventure and comedy... A must-see” – Mako out of their postmodern loneliness. love in the Mexican countryside.

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FIND ADDITIONAL FILMS AND MORE AT INDIEPIXFILMS.COM #moviesthatmatter (1964), Marais is cynical reporter Fandor, who Makes a Movie” shot during the production plays on the writer’s fascination with con- ridicules the police for blaming a crime wave of Winter Light, and archival interviews with fidence schemes and criminal psychology. on the mysterious criminal Fantomas. Fandor Andersson, Björnstrand (audio), and cinema- Lindsay Crouse, Mamet’s then-wife, is psy- claims this figure does not exist, but soon tographer Nykvist (illustrated audio), as well chologist and author Margaret Ford, who vis- enough, the masked villain comes for Fandor as observations from 2003 on each film by its a gambling hall in order to help a patient. and when the former finally pulls off his Bergman scholar Peter Cowie, a poster gallery, Joe Mantegna, a veteran of Mamet’s stage mask he reveals the face of…Jean Marais. In and a booklet with an essay by film scholar plays, costars as gambler and con artist Mike, fact, Fantomas is both a criminal genius and Catherine Wheatley. Highly recommended. who tries to scam Margaret out of $6,000 in a a master of disguise and he commits crimes (S. Axmaker) poker game and ends up allowing her to play wearing the faces of Fandor and Police Com- a role in a major con that involves $80,000 missioner Juve (Louis de Funès), the bumbling Gaslight HHH and a wealthy businessman (J.T. Walsh) who head of police. Fantomas, made in the wake Warner, 114 min., not rated, turns out to have his own secret agenda. The of the James Bond phenomenon was directed Blu-ray: $21.99 plot twists and turns, and the characters are by André Hunebelle, a veteran of the French George Cukor’s 1944 constantly playing roles within roles, from OSS 117 espionage knock-off series, who also psychological thriller still the impersonal mask of the psychiatrist helmed the two sequels. Marais, de Funès, holds up as a stylish mys- pushing her patients to probe further, to the and Mylène Demongeot (who plays Fandor’s tery, and features one of gamblers bluffing their way through hands of girlfriend, newspaper photographer Hélène) star Ingrid Bergman’s best performances as cards, criminal schemes, and seductions. The return for Fantomas Unleashed (1965) and a strong woman being driven into madness. screenplay features the same terse, rhythmic Fantomas vs. Scotland Yard (1967), which both Set at the dawn of the 20th century, the story volleys of stylized dialogue from Mamet’s lean even further into comedy. Unleashed (based on a 1938 play by Patrick Hamilton) stage plays, at times sounding like song lyrics features an array of comic Bond-like gadgets begins with the offscreen murder of famous with their repetitions and call-and-response hatched by an even more inept Juve, and opera singer Alice Alquist. The unknown patterns. Mamet directs with a stripped- Scotland Yard drops the cast into a haunted killer’s search for jewels in the diva’s house down visual style to match his pared-down house farce with Fantomas playing the ghost. is interrupted by Alice’s teenage niece, Paula dialogue, always appearing to show the au- These lighthearted supervillain larks—shot in (Bergman), who is sent off to Italy to forget dience everything in a straightforward man- brightly-colored CinemaScope—are hardly the tragedy and pursue a singing career. ner while using misdirection and dramatic essential and become increasingly silly but Instead, Paula falls for a debonair pianist, sleight-of-hand to mask the real story. This they do have their fans. Extras include audio Gregory (Charles Boyer), who she marries Blu-ray debut from the Criterion Collection is commentary by film historian Tim Lucas on after a whirlwind romance. Reluctantly dedicated to Ricky Jay, the late magician and Fantomas. Optional. (S. Axmaker) returning—at Gregory’s insistence—to the historian who both costarred and served as London home where Alice died, Paula agrees the consultant on confidence games. Extras A Film Trilogy by Ingmar to Gregory’s suggestion that all of Alice’s include a 2007 audio commentary by Ma- met, archival interviews with Crouse and Bergman HHH1/2 furniture be moved to the attic and replaced Criterion, 3 discs, 266 min., in for a fresh start. Over time, Gregory reveals Mantegna from 2007, a documentary short Swedish w/English subtitles, not himself to be a soft tyrant, taking charge of made during the film’s production, and a rated, Blu-ray: $99.95 Paula’s freedom of movement, blocking her booklet with an essay by critic Kent Jones. In 1961, Swedish film- social life, and making sure that she believes Recommended. (S. Axmaker) maker Ingmar Bergman she has chronic forgetfulness, loses track of embarked on a trilogy of chamber dramas valuables, and commits mischief that she Madame X HHH confronting the existence of God in the can’t recall. The longer Paula insists that she Kino, 100 min., not rated, Blu- modern world. The Oscar-winning Through is not responsible for Gregory’s charges, the ray: $29.99 a Glass Darkly (1961) stars Harriet Andersson more she doubts her sanity, a fear that grows This 1966 version of an as a young woman suffering from mental every night as she hears phantom footsteps oft-filmed 1908 French illness who spirals deeper into schizophrenia in the attic and witnesses gas lamps dimming melodrama is as sudsy as when she discovers that her novelist father with no explanation. Joseph Cotten is sharp a big screen soap opera can (Gunnar Björnstrand) plans to record her as a take-charge Scotland Yard inspector be, yet the sincerity of key performances by decline for his work. Winter Light (1963) takes who sees the underhanded campaign against Lana Turner, Constance Bennett, Keir Dullea, on the existence of God even more directly Paula, and an 18-year-old Angela Lansbury is and John Forsythe earn Madame X some through the story of a small-town pastor memorable as a house servant who is equal respect. Turner stars as Holly, a former shop- (also Björnstrand) in a spiritual crisis and a parts snark and flirtatiousness. The film’s girl who marries glorified mama’s boy Clay parishioner (Max von Sydow) suffering from title has entered the American lexicon as a (Forsythe), a patrician who is part of a dy- a debilitating fear of nuclear annihilation. In- verb meaning to manipulate someone by nastic political family. The two live together grid Thulin and Gunnel Lindblom are sisters psychological means into questioning their with their son, Clay Jr., and Clay’s duplicitous whose ambiguous relationship breaks down own sanity. Extras include the original 1940 mother, Estelle (Bennett), in an old family as they travel through an unnamed country British version, a 1946 Lux Radio Theatre mansion that serves as a social hub for the on the verge of war in The Silence (1963), a title broadcast, a retrospective featurette, and a rich and powerful. Clay’s frequent absences that evokes both the silence of God and the vintage newsreel. Recommended. (T. Keogh) on business drive lonely Holly into the arms sisters’ inability to communicate. All three are of a playboy (Ricardo Montalbán), which serious, provocative, philosophically heavy House of Games HHH gives Estelle the excuse she needs to exile the films that are evocatively shot in beautifully Criterion, 102 min., R, DVD or daughter-in-law she hates into another life textured black-and-white in the cold winter Blu-ray: $39.95 under an believing name. Clay and Clay Jr. light of Bergman’s world by Sven Nykvist, cre- The 1987 directorial de- spend the next 20 years believing that Holly ating a harsh beauty and a sense of alienation but of Pulitzer and Tony is dead, while the latter gradually sinks into and disconnection. Restored and remastered award-winning playwright despair and drunkenness. Madame X marked by the Svensk Filminstitutet, extras include and Oscar-nominated Turner’s third starring role in a feature by pro- the five-part documentary “Ingmar Bergman screenwriter David Mamet ducer Ross Hunter, who hoped that legendary

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 34 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019

director Douglas Sirk would helm the film, Pomme and her traveling band The Orchids Harvey as Rex, an English but the job went instead to competent veter- perform socially conscious songs across the pilot who takes revenge on an David Lowell Rich. Extras include audio countryside (with lyrics penned by Varda)— the insurance company that commentary by film historians Lee Gambin but it’s also a touching drama of friendship, denied a claim for his air- and Dr. Eloise Ross. Recommended. (T. Keogh) sisterhood, and creating a meaningful life. plane crash due to a late Varda doesn’t emphasize the conflicts that the payment. With the help The Nun HHH women face while pursuing their careers and of his American wife Stella Kino, 140 min., in French w/ promoting female empowerment, but rather (Lee Remick), Rex fakes his English subtitles, not rated, the connections they make with others, em- own death in a glider crash and moves to DVD: $19.99, Blu-ray: $29.99 pathizing with almost every character in the Malaga, Spain, where he takes on the identity The second film by film. She makes her points through the action of an Australian sheep farmer while waiting French New Wave director rather than dialogue and her collaborative ap- for the money to come through. But with the Jacques Rivette, adapted proach to filmmaking gives the film a warm change in identity also comes a change in per- from the 1796 epistolary inclusiveness. All in all, it’s a minor classic sonality—and a scheme for another insurance novel Le Religiouse by Denis Diderot, The of feminist cinema and a lovely portrait of scam, which is tossed into jeopardy when the Nun stands out from the freewheeling film- self-empowerment in a time of social change. original insurance investigator (Alan Bates) maker’s career for its controlled, classical Presented with a new restoration, extras shows up in Malaga. The premise is intriguing approach. Anna Karina stars as Suzanne, the include the 1977 documentary Women Are and the backdrop—a Spanish vacation town youngest daughter of a wealthy lawyer in Naturally Creative: Agnès Varda, Varda’s short shot in widescreen color by cinematographer 18th-century Paris who is forced to take vows films Response de femmes (1975) and Plaisir Robert Krasker, who filmed Reed’s classicThe in a convent against her wishes. Suzanne is d’amour en Iran (1976), and a booklet with Third Man—is lovely. Harvey’s performance is a devout woman who loves God but simply an essay by film critic Amy Taubin. Highly lively (even if his Aussie accent tends to slip), does not feel a calling and wishes to expe- recommended. (S. Axmaker) Remick is engaging, and Bates brings a touch rience the world outside. When she sues to of loneliness to his role, but there is little have her vows annulled, she suffers under Robbery HHH suspense in the cat-and-mouse game, and a a tyrannical Mother Superior who cruelly Kino, 110 min., not rated, climactic car chase through the mountains punishes her, and is sexually pursued by a DVD: $19.99, Blu-ray: $29.99 of Spain to Gibraltar is more routine than decadent abbess when she relocates to a more Before Peter Yates came thrilling. Extras include audio commentary permissive convent. The Nun is essentially a stateside to direct Steve Mc- by author Peter William Evans, a new “mak- chamber drama, taking place almost entirely Queen in Bullitt, which set ing-of” featurette, an audio-only recording of within austere convent cells and chapels, the bar for dynamic car Remick speaking at the National Film Theatre and Suzanne’s spirit and individuality is all chases onscreen, the British from 1970, an isolated music and effects track, but suffocated by the habit she wears and filmmaker helmed the 1967 caper drama and an image gallery. Optional. (S. Axmaker) the cold, claustrophobic rooms she inhabits. Robbery. Inspired by the true story of the 1963 Rivette treats convent life and ritual as a kind Great Train Robbery, the film stars Stanley Shaft in Africa HHH of performance, which Suzanne disrupts with Baker as a criminal mastermind who works Warner, 112 min., R, Blu-ray: her defiant protest. Karina powerfully brings behind the scenes while his partners execute $21.99 Suzanne to life, and even while covered in the his planned robberies. Yates opens the film The idea of casting a black habit she stands out from the conformity of with a tightly-directed daylight heist and an actor as James Bond has her sisters. Completed in 1966, the film was impressive car chase through London, illus- floated around for years banned for a year in France and not seen trating the skill and smarts of the team, before (black actress Lashana in the U.S. until 1971. Extras include audio the leader offers his gang the crown jewel job Lynch will apparently be the new 007 in the commentary by film critic Nick Pinkerton, a of their careers: the Glasgow-London Night untitled 25th Bond film), but one successful new “making-of” documentary short, and a Train, which carries millions of pounds in a variation on the notion was 1973’s Shaft in booklet with an essay by film critic Dennis guarded vault. The robbery is meticulously Africa, the third and final entry in the original Lim. Recommended. (S. Axmaker) planned and Yates follows every detail of the Shaft blaxploitation trilogy about New York execution, which is nearly flawless, but a few City private detective John Shaft (Richard One Sings, the Other mistakes and short-sighted decisions put it Roundtree). Here, streetwise Shaft is on Doesn’t HHH1/2 into jeopardy. James Booth costars as Inspec- more of an international 007-like adventure, Criterion, 121 min., in French tor George Langdon, who has made nabbing infiltrating a human trafficking ring. After w/English subtitles, not rated, the gang a personal priority, and Frank Finlay passing several tortuous physical tests, Shaft DVD: $29.99, Blu-ray: $39.99 is the currency specialist shanghaied against is deemed strong enough to pose as one of the Agnès Varda wrote and his will from prison only months shy of his many Ethiopian men being lured to Europe directed this portrait of release date. Yates directs with a hard realism for allegedly good-paying jobs. But once in two women over a 15-year and gritty action, capturing the physical Paris, the illegal immigrants discover that period as each becomes—in her own way—a aspects of the robbery without dwelling on they are enslaved under the corrupt grip part of the feminist movement in France. the characters (only Baker and Finlay’s roles of a sick villain (Frank Finlay). Shaft takes Valérie Mairesse plays Pauline, a rebellious have any dimension) in this well-made if not to the mission with a fury and impressive high school girl in the provinces, and Thérèse well known showpiece. Extras include audio physicality, scrambling over roofs, fighting Liotard is Suzanne, the wife of a frustrated commentary by film critic Nick Pinkerton. stick-wielding bad guys, and riding a camel. photographer and an overwhelmed mother Recommended. (S. Axmaker) Director John Guillermin brings his typically of two. When the pair meet again 10 years sharp craftsmanship to the pace and vigor of later at an abortion rights rally in Paris, The Running Man HH a better-than-average action movie which, Pauline (who goes by the name Pomme) is Arrow, 104 min., not rated, Blu-ray: $39.99 somewhat surprisingly, was written by Os- working with a theater group and Suzanne Not to be confused with the 1987 Arnold car-winning screenwriter Stirling Silliphant has founded a family planning clinic. One Schwarzenegger action film of the same name, (In the Heat of the Night). Without fanfare, could call the film a feminist musical— this 1963 thriller by Carol Reed stars Laurence Silliphant seamlessly incorporates Bond-like

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 38 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 NEW RELEASES FROM THE CRITERION COLLECTION

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WWW.CRITERION.COM ambitions while still embracing some of the Director George Stevens brings an almost beautiful leap of faith into pure imagina- sexual elements from the earlier Shaft films, effortless elegance to a film built out of tion that leaves the audience to write their and bluntly touching on a few perennially ridiculous misunderstandings and silly own ending. Extras include archival audio topical Third World themes, including comedy bits (much of it carried by the side- commentary by Harvey and film archivist mandatory clitoridectomy for some African kicks, fumbling Victor Moore and sardonic Robert A. Harris, and an archival featurette. women. Recommended. (T. Keogh) Helen Broderick), coupled with beautifully Recommended. (S. Axmaker) integrated musical numbers. Not only does Summer Stock HH1/2 it feature some of the best dance scenes War and Peace HHHH Warner, 109 min., not rated, Astaire and Rogers ever performed but Criterion, 422 min., in Russian Blu-ray: $21.99 they also serve to illustrate the stages of w/English subtitles, not rated, Judy Garland teams up their courtship, culminating in the lovely, DVD: 3 discs, $39.99; Blu-ray: 2 discs, $49.99 with Gene Kelly for the bittersweet “Never Gonna Dance,” in which third and final time in this they ostensibly bid farewell to one another American audiences nev- original 1950 musical, Gar- in one last turn around an empty nightclub er truly got to see Sergei land’s last for MGM. Garland is Jane Falbury, floor. The superb score by Jerome Kern and Bondarchuk’s epic adap- a young woman tasked with running the Dorothy Fields also includes “Pick Yourself tation of Tolstoy’s 1869 family farm alone following the death of Up,” “A Fine Romance,” and “The Way You masterpiece as the director intended: the her parents. Jane finds the spread overrun Look Tonight.” One of the great American seven-hour-plus production was dubbed with a theatrical troupe who were invited movie musicals, Swing Time does have one into English and shorn of one hour for its by little sister Abigail (Gloria DeHaven), a sour note: Astaire dons blackface for “Bo- 1968 Oscar-winning theatrical release, while spoiled girl with dreams of stardom and a jangles of Harlem,” which is an impressive earlier home entertainment versions were crush on Joe D. Ross (Kelly), a charismatic tap number with art deco sets and props but either a clumsy pan-and-scan presentation entrepreneur who is trying to mount his slips into minstrel show clichés of the era. or, in the case of the RUSCICO import, struck own original musical with a group of ide- Extras include a 1986 audio commentary from a print badly in need of restoration. This alistic young theater folk. Summer Stock is by author John Mueller, archival interviews Criterion Collection offering features the an example of the “hey kids, let’s put on (with Astaire, Rogers, and choreographer complete original Russian-language version a show” genre that Garland and Mickey Hermes Pan), new interviews (with George with a glorious 2K digital restoration in the Rooney perfected as juvenile stars in the Stevens, Jr. and film scholar Mia Mask), correct 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The Soviet gov- 1930s, with Kelly taking Rooney’s place. Un- a featurette on the choreography and ernment-controlled film industry spared no fortunately, there’s nothing original in the soundtrack, and a booklet with an essay expense in staging this massive extravaganza, story and the original songs are largely for- by critic Imogen Sara Smith. Highly rec- with hundreds of extras populating the grace- gettable; the standout number “Get Happy” ommended. Editor’s Choice. (S. Axmaker) ful ball sequence, the disturbing Battle of is actually an older song revived for Garland Borodino, and the truly harrowing recreation that became one of her signature tunes. But They Might Be Giants of the evacuation of Moscow ahead of Napo- this is still a lively, colorful production, fea- HHH leon’s advance. And while War and Peace is a masterwork of grand-scale cinema, it remains turing terrific dance numbers with Garland Kino, 91 min., G, Blu-ray: matching Kelly step for step and a stellar $29.99 highly effective as an intense emotional drama with a deeply moving central love triangle dance solo by Kelly using a squeaky floor- George C. Scott stars as that is brought to vibrant life with fully-tex- board, a piece of sandpaper, and a couple Justin Playfair, a retired tured performances by Ludmila Savelyeva of sheets of newspaper to add percussion. judge who believes that as Natasha, Vyacheslav Tikhonov as Prince Eddie Bracken costars as Garland’s dull beau he’s Sherlock Holmes, and Joanne Wood- Andrei, and Bondarchuk himself as Pierre. who is being pushed into marriage by his ward is psychiatrist Dr. Mildred Watson, Extras include archival documentaries on the banker father (Ray Collins), and Marjorie who is sent to judge his sanity, in director film’s creation, a new documentary on War Main and Phil Silvers play comic relief as Anthony Harvey’s 1971 comedy. Playfair and Peace featuring historian Denise J. Young- the sardonic housekeeper and troupe clown, embraces the psychiatrist as his own Dr. blood, new interviews with cinematographer respectively. Extras include a 2006 retro- Watson, pulling her into his elaborate Anatoly Petritsky and Fedor Bondarchuk (the spective featurette, a classic cartoon, an investigation of master-criminal Moriarty, director’s son), and a booklet with an essay archival short, and an audio-only outtake and dragging her across Manhattan in a by critic Ella Taylor. Highly recommended. of the song “Fall in Love.” A strong optional mad dash for obscure clues. Scott’s mod- Editor’s Choice. (P. Hall) purchase. (S. Axmaker) ern-day Holmes is part brilliant logician and part big-city loon, putting a magnify- Swing Time HHHH ing glass to every clue and giving dead-on Criterion, 103 min., not rated, snap profiles to perfect strangers. But he’s a DVD: $29.99, Blu-ray: $39.99 lonely man whose heart leaps to life when Online Fred Astaire and Ginger he finds his Watson, a career woman with Visit Video Librarian Online (www. Rogers were the most ele- a wall around her feelings who answers videolibrarian.com) during September gant of Hollywood’s dance his deductions with psychoanalytic ob- and October for DVD/Blu-ray-specific teams during the Golden servation. Jack Gilford, Al Lewis, and Rue comments added to the video movies Age of American musicals McClanahan costar as oddball misfits and reviewed here, as well as new reviews and Swing Time (1936) marks the peak of dreamers who become Holmes’s Baker of current and classic films, including: their 10-film output. The plot is as absurd as Street Irregulars. Based on a play by James Being Frank, Booksmart, Cold Blood, Dark anything from the era: Astaire plays Lucky Goldman, They Might Be Giants celebrates Phoenix, The Dead Don’t Die, Ghost Light, Garnett, a dancer and gambler who needs fantasy and joyful madness in a world Godzilla, King of the Monsters, John Wick: to make $25,000 to marry his hometown where normalcy is rather unhinged. The Chapter 3—Parabellum, The Last Black Man sweetheart (Betty Furness), and Rogers is climactic scene is treated as slapstick farce in San Francisco, Red Joan, The Tomorrow Penny Carroll, a streetwise dance instruc- and is somewhat out of tune with the story Man, The Wedding Guest, and much more! tor Lucky falls in love with along the way. but it does send the characters through a

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 40 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 TV on Video Blood HHH on American soil. Abbie Cornish costars as suffrage. Here, the epony- Acorn, 2 discs, 288 min., not Ryan’s girlfriend, a doctor specializing in mous Miss Dagmar Friman rated, DVD or Blu-ray: $39.99 infectious diseases (which plays a role in the (Sissela Kyle) returns to her Made for Irish TV, this terrorist threat), while John Magaro plays a native Stockholm after liv- dark psychological mystery drone pilot suffering a crisis of conscience, ing several years in allegedly series weaves a genuinely and Timothy Hutton and Blair Brown have more progressive London. creepy spell while managing small roles as administration officials. Jack Appalled by food poison- some clever plot twists. Cat Ryan is a smart, well-produced show with ing cases that have stricken Hogan (Carolina Main), a high-strung young strong production values and a boy scout of working-class neighborhoods, Friman gath- woman still suffering the effects of a half-re- a hero whose self-righteousness almost sabo- ers her like-minded lady friends to launch membered childhood trauma, is distanced tages his mission. The young Ryan is brilliant Swedish Homes, a grocery cooperative that from her family. Returning to her hometown but has a lot to learn about the practical side sells unspoiled food to workers at reasonable after learning that her invalid mother Mary of intelligence work and Grier is just the prices. While Friman’s new customers are (Ingrid Craigie) has died in an accident, Cat seasoned veteran to mentor him. Compiling deeply appreciative of her effort, she runs suspects that her father, Jim (Adrian Dunbar), all eight episodes from the 2018 first season, afoul of the male-controlled Stockholm murdered Mary—a charge that causes friction extras include deleted scenes. Recommended. Wholesale Association, which goes out of its with Jim as well as Cat’s brother (Diarmuid (S. Axmaker) way to damage Friman’s cooperative. Miss Noyes) and sister (Gráinne Keenan). She soon Friman’s War generated criticism in Sweden discovers inconsistencies in Jim’s account of Killing Eve: Season Two for playing very loose with the facts of Whit- lock’s life and for misrepresenting the depth his movements on the day of Mary’s death, HHH1/2 as well as evidence that he was having an BBC, 2 discs, 360 min., not of the sociopolitical environment of her era. affair with his receptionist (Shereen Martin) rated, DVD: $24.99, Blu-ray: Regardless, this is an entertaining celebration and might have stolen money from an aged $29.99 of indefatigable spirits who dare to challenge patient. She also enlists aid from a longtime The first season of this a repressive status quo. The costuming, art friend (Cillian O’Gairbhi)—who her father is clever and highly addictive direction, and cinematography combine to treating for persistent mental problems—and thriller about an American make a rich visual experience, and Friman a local cop (Sean Duggan) who holds a grudge analyst with British Intelligence who is track- is played with charisma to spare by comic against Jim. And Jim does not help his case ing a brilliant yet flamboyant assassin ended actress Kyle. Compiling all 12 episodes from by lying about his actions and using his dis- with Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh), the agent, the series’ four-season run from 2013-17, this solute brother (Mark O’Regan) to pressure Cat stabbing Villanelle (Jodie Comer), the killer, is highly recommended. (P. Hall) to drop her campaign against him. Thanks and then fleeing the scene in a panic. The to crisp writing, atmospheric direction, and second season opens with Villanelle surviv- Outlander: Season Four excellent performances—especially from ing, slipping away to recover and get back to HHH1/2 Dunbar and Main—this is well worth watch- work with a new handler, while Eve returns Sony, 5 discs, 746 min., not ing. Compiling all six episodes from 2018, to her job, living in mortal fear of retribution. rated, DVD: $45.99, Blu-ray: extras include cast and crew interviews and a But attempted murder isn’t enough to douse $55.99 behind-the-scenes featurette. Recommended. Villanelle’s fascination with Eve and the pair The fourth season of the (F. Swietek) eventually end up working together, first in hit time-traveling historical the interrogation of a rival assassin and then romance—based on the Jack Ryan: Season One with the unstable Villanelle going under- bestselling novels by Diana Gabaldon and air- HHH cover to obtain evidence against an Internet ing on the Starz network—takes lovers Claire Paramount, 399 min., not mogul who may be plotting treason. As the (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan) rated, DVD: 3 discs, $29.99; plots play out, Villanelle stalks Eve’s husband from 18th-century Europe to the new world Blu-ray: 2 discs, $42.99 and attempts to draw Eve into her world of of the American colonies. As they build a Jack Ryan, the former Ma- violence, while Eve’s boss (Fiona Shaw) keeps homestead in North Carolina and Jamie tries rine and Wall Street stock- her own agenda guarded as she manipulates to recruit fellow Scotsmen to settle on nearby broker turned CIA analyst them both. Creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, plots, the pair become drawn into a rebellion created by author Tom Clancy in his 1984 who guided the first season, left the series but led by Jamie’s godfather (Duncan Lacroix) in debut novel The Hunt for Red October, has new showrunner Emerald Fennel maintains protest of corrupt taxation: the first rumblings been the hero of over a dozen novels and the mix of dark humor, complicated rela- of the American Revolution. Meanwhile, their five movies. John Krasinski takes over the tionships, and psychological games. Killing 20th-century daughter Brianna (Sophie Skelt- role—previously played by (among others) Eve is a rare show featuring three strong, on) follows Claire back in time with her own Alec Baldwin and Harrison Ford—for this unconventional roles for women. The second lover Roger (Richard Rankin) close behind, to new Amazon Prime web series. Set early in his season earned numerous Emmy nominations, warn of events that may lead to death. As with career, the show opens with Ryan uncovering including Outstanding Drama and acting previous seasons, this one is lively and packed a new, well-funded terrorist organization by nods for Oh, Comer, and Shaw. Presenting with action, history, and cultural conflict tracing financial transactions through shell all eight episodes from the 2019 sophomore refracted through the modern sensibility of companies. He tries to convince his section season, extras include behind-the-scenes fea- Claire, and it also confronts slavery (Jamie’s boss James Grier (Wendell Pierce), a career turettes. Highly recommended. (S. Axmaker) aunt, played by Maria Doyle Kennedy, relies military veteran, along with the intelligence on slave labor to run her farm) and racism hierarchy, that the targeted group’s leader is Miss Friman’s War HHH1/2 as white settlers coexist with native tribes. smart, careful, and poses a serious threat to MHz, 4 discs, 699 min., in Swedish w/English The show also offers interesting character the U.S. Based on an original story by produc- subtitles, not rated, DVD: $39.99 contrasts as Jamie, an 18th-century Scottish ers Carlton Cuse and Graham Roland, this is This Swedish TV series, aired stateside Highlander, proves more accepting of sexual a globetrotting series that takes the characters on MHz Networks, is based on the life of equality than Roger, a Scottish scholar raised from Langley, VA, to Paris and the Middle East Anna Whitlock, an early 20th-century in the progressive 1960s. Outlander remains and back in order to stop a terrorist attack social reformer and advocate for women’s an adult drama in all the best ways: mature,

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 41 VIDEO LIBRARIAN smart, and filled with layered characters li co-produced TV movies Towelie, Sasquatch-like monster ManBearPig, and complex relationships. Compiling all 13 from 2016-19 centers on Satan, and talking excrement Mr. Hankey episodes from the 2018 fourth season, extras Sara Stein (Katharina Lo- pop up often, as the show continues to get include behind-the-scenes featurettes and renz), a German police de- by on constant swearing and base humor a gag reel (the Blu-ray edition also features tective who puzzles her way that tiredly rides the tails of current events. episode commentaries, additional featurettes, to solutions of complex cas- This season’s “mock cancellation” hashtag and deleted and extended scenes). Highly es. In “Shalom Berlin, Sha- advertising to #cancelsouthpark actually recommended. (S. Axmaker) lom Tel Aviv,” set in Berlin, seems like a good idea to me. Compiling all Sara solves the killing of a Jewish nightclub 10 episodes from 2018, extras include episode Patrick Melrose HH1/2 DJ who has been dating a Palestinian immi- commentaries and deleted scenes. Optional. Acorn, 2 discs, 302 min., not grant. During the investigation she meets (J. Williams-Wood) rated, DVD or Blu-ray: $39.99 David (Itay Tiran), a visiting Israeli pianist, The best thing about this and falls in love, eventually joining him Space: 1999—The in his homeland. In “Jewels in the Grave,” British miniseries based on Complete Series HH1/2 five semi-autobiographical Sara—having transferred to the Israeli police Shout! Factory, 13 discs, 2,370 novels (1992-2012) by Ed- force—struggles to gain acceptance from her min., not rated, DVD: $69.99, ward St. Aubyn is Benedict new colleagues as she explores the apparent Blu-ray: $109.99 Cumberbatch’s go-for-broke performance murder of an officer on their own squad, Produced in England by as the drug-addled, damaged titular misan- while also settling in as David’s wife and Gerry and Sylvia Anderson thrope. It’s also the worst thing, so depending learning about religious practices that diverge (of Thunderbirds fame), Space: on where one lies on the appreciation scale from her own secularist background. “Masa- 1999 was the most ambitious and visually for over-the-top thespian turns, Patrick Mel- da” takes Sara to the titular ancient mountain impressive sci-fi TV series of the 1970s, albeit rose will either delight or alienate viewers. fortress, where the death of an archaeologist based on a silly premise. An explosion on Directed by Edward Berger, this ambitious leads to evidence of a smuggling ring that a nuclear waste dump on the Moon blasts and handsomely mounted period epic spans exports priceless historical artifacts. The final Earth’s satellite out of orbit, sending it shoot- 37 years in the life of its central character, film, “Old Friends,” starts with the discovery ing across the galaxy like a rogue asteroid, and opening with heroin-coke-pill-booze addict of a severed hand on the Mediterranean coast. taking a Moon-base full of scientists along for Patrick in 1982 receiving the apparently Identifying the victim and determining why the ride as they come across planets and space welcome news that his father David (Hugo he was killed forces Sara to investigate the travelers. American actors Martin Landau and Weaving) has kicked the proverbial bucket, past of both her husband and her partner, Barbara Bain star in the majority British cast, after which a shaky Patrick must jet from Lon- who served together in the Israeli army. As a which also features Barry Morse in the first don to New York to retrieve dad’s ashes. The police procedural set against the background season and Catherine Schell, who joins the second episode, set in 1967, makes Patrick’s of political and religious issues arising from crew in season two as a shapeshifting alien. animosity and self-destructive lifestyle a little the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Sara Stein is The series features the high quality special clearer: as a boy he was sexually abused by his inherently intriguing. Unfortunately, the effects that the Andersons honed on their father at the family’s French country estate. plotting can be weak and Lorenz is not the “Supermarionation” family shows in the The last three episodes—set in 1990, 2003, most compelling of protagonists. Still, this 1960s and the production design is inspired and 2005 respectively—chronicle Patrick’s should be considered a strong optional pur- by 2001: A Space Odyssey and the original ups and downs from full-blown addiction to chase. (F. Swietek) Star Trek series. The producers did not reach delirium-tremens-inducing sobriety, while out to sci-fi writers as part of their creative coping with marriage, children, lovers, and— South Park: The pool, however, and the scripts—many are most importantly—his turn-the-other-eye Complete Twenty-Second second-rate versions of social commentary mother Eleanor (Jennifer Jason Leigh), who Season HH Star Trek stories—reflect that, while the sup- Patrick deeply resents, and whose failing Paramount, 2 discs, 223 min., porting characters never receive the kind of health engulfs him in a bitter rivalry with not rated, DVD: $29.98, Blu- development or personality that the bridge a New Age healer (Jonjo O’Neill) who has ray: $39.99 crew of the Enterprise enjoyed. Even so, the won Eleanor’s favor. Also featuring Sebastian Creators Trey Parker and short-lived series remains the high point for Maltz as young Patrick, Jessica Raine as an Matt Stone’s 22nd season of their long-run- ‘70s sci-fi TV and it did develop a cult fol- on-again/off-again mistress, Anna Madeley ning animated Comedy Central series opens lowing. Guest stars include Christopher Lee, as Patrick’s wife, Prasanna Puwanarajah as with an episode ostensibly designed to shock: Peter Cushing, Brian Blessed, Joan Collins, Patrick’s best friend, Harriet Walter in a cut- “Dead Kids” finds the series’ desensitized Leo McKern, and Ian McShane. Compiling ting turn as Princess Margaret, and Blythe fourth graders continuing their lessons as all 48 episodes from the 1975-77 first and Danner as Patrick’s aunt, Patrick Melrose is an an active shooter attacks the elementary second seasons, extras include episode com- uneven series with hit-and-miss dialogue that school, while Stan’s dad blames his mom’s mentaries, new and archival cast and crew features a flawed but also often fascinating hysteria about the situation on menses. The interviews, behind-the-scene featurettes, and performance by the man many have come town’s Catholic congregation cracks the child photo galleries. A strong optional purchase. to love as Sherlock Holmes. Extras include a molestation jokes one would expect in “A (S. Axmaker) behind-the-scenes featurette, and a booklet Boy and a Priest”; “Tegridy Farms” finds the with cast and crew interviews. A strong op- Marsh family moving to work at a marijuana tional purchase. (R. Pitman) farm; and “The Scoots” parodies the ride- Online share e-scooter trend. The global warming Visit Video Librarian Online (www. Sara Stein From Berlin to Tel Aviv: The allegory two-parter “Time to Get Cereal” and videolibrarian.com) for more reviews Complete Series HH1/2 “Nobody Got Cereal” brings a version of “Al during September and October, including: Film Movement, 2 discs, 369 min., in German, Gore” into the fray, and the season-ending London Kills: Series 1, Magnum P.I.: Season Hebrew & Arabic w/English subtitles, not rated, story arc in “Unfulfilled” and “Bike Parade” , , , DVD: $39.99 One Manhunt Swingtown: The First Season sends up Amazon and Jeff Bezos. Stock char- Velvet: Season 1, and much more! This compilation of four German-Israe- acters such as stoner anthropomorphic towel

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 42 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019

Video Reviews

Ghoulia and the Mysterious Visitor is also newly and notes from the author and the illus- Ordering information for the titles reviewed in available.] Aud: E, P. (S. Beauregard) trator. Unfortunately, at 68 minutes, this this section can be found in the “Distributor somberly-narrated biographical profile with HH limited and somewhat repetitive animation Addresses” listings at the back of the magazine. O Captain, My Captain 1/2 (2019) 68 min. DVD: $38.99. Dreamscape Media. is unlikely to hold the attention of the lower PPR. Closed captioned. ISBN: 9781974933013. end of the target audience of “10 and up,” HHHH= Excellent Subtitled “Walt Whitman, Abraham Lin- although older kids might find Whitman’s HHH= Good coln, and the Civil War,” this iconograph- all-embracing sense of inclusivity inspiring. ic-animated adaptation of author Robert A strong optional purchase. Aud: I, J, H, P. (J. HH= Fair Burleigh and illustrator Sterling Hundley’s Williams-Wood) H= Poor 2019 picture book is narrated by Chris Lutkin, with David Bendena serving as the voice of PPR = Public Performance Rights Whitman. O Captain, My Captain uses oil PSYCHOLOGY & SELF-HELP paint smears and swirls to explore the drama DRA = Digital Rights Available of wartime through dramatic vignettes as Aud = Audience the famed poet becomes caught up in the The Limits of My World HH1/2 Union cause. Visiting makeshift hospitals (2018) 70 min. DVD: $19.95. Music Video K = Preschool-Kindergarten and wounded soldiers, Whitman is deeply Distributors (avail. from most distributors). Closed E = Elementary (grades 1-3) disturbed by what he sees and is inspired to captioned. write poetry, with President Lincoln serving Filmmaker Heather Cassano draws from I = Intermediate (grades 4-6) as a particular muse. Although no record older and more recent home movies featuring J = Jr. High (grades 7-8) exists of the two men ever officially meeting, her autistic brother Brian as a way to help her Whitman was in Washington, D.C., during reconnect with the latter during a moment of H = High School (grades 9-12) the war. In imagined scenes, Lincoln is pic- transition in his life. A new graduate from a special needs school, Brian is moving out of C = Colleges & Universities tured as a giant emerging from a log cabin, Whitman stands in front of the White House his family home and into an assisted-living P = Public Libraries at night pondering which light was Lincoln’s, facility. His longtime aide is leaving and a and the poet constantly walks to a corner replacement is trying to get a handle on non- where he knew Lincoln’s carriage would pass verbal Brian’s needs and sometimes-abrasive by. While tending the dying, Whitman often behaviors. Unfortunately, the viewer is also reflected on Lincoln’s “grace under pressure” foundering: left staring at images of Brian CHILDREN’S as the latter struggled to reunite the Union. from preschool to age 18 or so, but without Hundley’s art is striking, although some much context or narrative shape, or even scenes could be disturbing for younger view- much effort from Cassano to explain her Ghoulia HHH ers (such as amputated limbs flowing down quest to know her brother better. The Limits of (2018) 29 min. DVD: $38.99. Dreamscape Media. the screen). After Lincoln was assassinated, My World is a very personal documentary, one PPR. Closed captioned. ISBN: 978-1-9749-2210-9. Whitman wrote the titular poem in honor that will likely be appreciated by those with Ghoulia lives in Crumbling Manor with of (and grief over) the slain president. Also autistic family members or acquaintances, Auntie Departed and an albino dog named featured are overviews of the two men’s but it lacks the more general resonance of oth- Tragedy. In this iconographic-animated lives, important dates during the Civil War, er autism-related documentaries such as Deej adaptation of writer and illustrator Barbara readings of the title poem and Whitman’s (VL-3/18) and Far From the Tree (VL-3/19). A Cantini’s 2018 picture book, silky-toned “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d,” strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh) narrator Jordan Killam reminds viewers that Ghoulia is not an ordinary child but rather a zombie, with unusually pale skin, big round eyes, and the ability to pull off body parts. Her Right Foot HHHH Auntie Departed confines Ghoulia to Crum- (2019) 19 min. DVD: $38.99. Dreamscape Media. PPR. Closed captioned. bling Manor’s front yard where the child ISBN: 978-1-9749-4645-7. spies on the local village kids, wishing that Johnny Heller brings enthusiasm and a sense of wonder to she could make friends. Halloween provides his narration of this iconographic-animated adaptation of Dave Ghoulia the perfect opportunity to create a Eggers’s entertainingly informative 2017 picture book—nicely costume and blend in. She uses Uncle Mis- illustrated with Shawn Harris’s ink-and-construction paper fortune’s head as a trick-or-treat basket and collages—about the Statue of Liberty, the iconic 305-foot statue joins the neighborhood kids who think that that was a gift to the U.S. from France. Heller, who confidentially her name is Julia. When the group decides to says, “Perhaps you already knew this,” provides interesting facts make scary faces, Ghoulia gets caught up in about the statue, which arrived in New York Harbor in 214 crates the antics and begins tossing her head into in 1885. And Lady Liberty’s right foot? The text surmises that because the heel of the her hand, among other startling movements, right foot is lifted in midstride, the statue appears to be walking. Where might she be after which she admits that she is a zombie, going, wonders Heller, perhaps to SoHo to get a panini or to Trenton, NJ? The correct and ends up playing with her new friends answer, according to Eggers, is that this symbol of freedom is “on the go,” welcoming at Crumbling Manor. Backed by flute and immigrants to the U.S. Against brief strains of the “The Star-Spangled Banner” and a other instrumental music, this ghoulishly photograph of Emma Lazarus’s famous poem at the base of the statue, Jo Anna Perin spooky tale concludes with some Halloween reads the familiar text to cap off this fine introduction to a historic American statue projects, including directions for making that reminds us all of the importance of inclusion and diversity in a free land. Also Ghoulia’s costume and simple holiday treats. featuring a read-along option, this is highly recommended. Editor’s Choice. Aud: E, Also featuring a read-along option, this is P. (S. Beauregard) recommended. [Note: the companion title

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 44 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 The story behind Mister Rogers

“A simply “A graceful, written, quietly thoughtful moving tribute biography.” worthy of the – Publishers incomparable Weekly Mister Rogers.” – Kirkus Reviews

“It is an ideal time to introduce the next generation to the pure magic of Mister Rogers and his legacy. His enduring message to children of all ages—that you are enough, just as you are—can never be overstated.” – School Library Journal impact of a tragedy that occurred decades ago. The final segment profiles Cantor Mi- That Way Madness Lies… HHH1/2 chael Shochet of Temple Rodef Shalom in (2018) 101 min. DVD: $24.95. First Run Features (avail. from most Falls Church, VA, a former police officer who distributors). now serves as the police chaplain for Fairfax Filmmaker Sandra Luckow is able to offer a unique look into County. Healing the Healers seems primarily mental illness and how schizophrenia shakes apart one seeming- designed as an educational tool for clergy, but ly idyllic family, by focusing on her own. Her brother Duanne should still be considered a strong optional Luckow, a self-employed machinist—albeit talented in numerous purchase. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek) fields—living near their parents in Portland, OR, developed an atypical delusional disorder while entering middle age. Duanne Reb Elimelech & the Chassidic Legacy of subscribed to conspiracy theories and illegally crossed into Canada to try to claim a YouTube celebrity as his soulmate-bride Brotherhood HHH (of course, she had never met him). Determining himself to be exempt from utility (2012) 63 min. DVD: $59: high schools & public libraries ($99 w/PPR); $99: colleges & universities bills—but sending money to Nigerian and Russian con artists met online—Duanne ($249 w/PPR). SISU Home Entertainment. ISBN: starts paranoid feuds against Farmers Insurance Company and, ultimately, his parents 978-1-56086-774-6. and Sandra. Along the way, he loses his house and business, but by presenting a neat The career and legacy of Rabbi Elimel- appearance and answering rationally at hearings, he is able to stubbornly deny his ech of Lizhensk (1717-1787), a founder of mental illness, and a dysfunctional, “reformed” health system concerned with patient Hasidism, are celebrated in this film by rights can do little unless he turns dangerous. Duanne winds up in the real-life insti- author and lecturer Hanoch Teller, who here tution made famous by Ken Kesey in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, but is able to get relates many inspirational tales about his out through healthcare bureaucracy (Trump-era policies would even allow him to buy subject. Although there are some dramatic a gun). Making this narrative especially intimate is the fact that Duanne has dabbled re-creations of Elimelech’s life, as well as in film as well, chronicling his POV via iPhone footage and video diaries (he shares a sketch of the harsh circumstances that production credits in the film), as Sandra struggles to balance a bi-coastal existence Jews were forced to endure in 18th-century of a career in NYC with the decline of her aging mother and father and Duanne’s Poland and Ukraine, these are distinctly disturbing antics out West. There are no easy resolutions in this poignant look at the secondary to the traditional parables that toll that schizophrenia takes on a wide circle of victims and supporting players. Highly are told by Teller and other rabbis, which recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady) repeatedly point up the core of Elimelech’s teaching—the obligation to love other Jews and show willingness to help them in times A strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (T. Keogh) of need. That message is reflected, the film RELIGION & PHILOSOPHY illustrates, in the networks of social aid that Healing the Healers HH1/2 exist within today’s Hasidic communities. (2019) 102 min. DVD: $50.99 ($125 w/ Teller also emphasizes the connection with The Father I Never Knew HH1/2 PPR): public libraries; $295 w/PPR: colleges & the divine that is expressed in mundane (2019) 60 min. DVD: $14.99. DRA. Vision Video universities. DRA. Collective Eye Films. Closed activities from the moment one rises—an (avail. from most distributors). captioned. idea linked with devotion to prayer, study, In this Christian documentary, five men Filmmaker Kirsten Kelly’s five-part series and ritual (examples of which are included who ended up in gangs, committing crime, looks at how religious leaders respond to their here). Also featuring performances of Hasidic and doing prison time during their younger traumatized congregations when tragedy instrumental and vocal music, this choppy, years here lay the blame for their former strikes their communities, as well as ways they homespun documentary is not so much an waywardness on the absence of fathers during deal with their own emotional turmoil. The introduction to Hasidism for outsiders as it childhood. That absence is meant in a broad first episode introduces Rev. Matt Crebbin of is a means of exhorting members of Hasidic sense: fathers who disappeared, simply didn’t the Congregational Church of Newtown, CT, communities to remember the foundations of care, or were rendered feckless through drug where Sandy Hook Elementary School was the their beliefs and practices. But while it may and alcohol addiction. In each case, the site of the mass shooting that took the lives of appeal primarily to Hasidim, others will still subjects sincerely believe that the lack of students and teachers on December 14, 2012. find that it offers a rewarding inside glimpse male guidance during early days (including Crebbin brings together his fellow local faith into orthodox Jewish life. Extras include a shortcomings in the areas of boundaries, leaders to discuss how they dealt with their “making-of” featurette. Recommended. Aud: discipline, and a father’s love) resulted in own and their parishioners’ spiritual needs in C, P. (F. Swietek) a huge hole in personal development that its wake. In the second part, Crebbin travels they subsequently tried to fill with street life, to St. Louis to interview Kathie Adams-Shep- surrogate families offered by gang member- herd, who had been pastor at the Newtown SOCIAL & POLITICAL ISSUES ship, and the feeling of faux accomplishment Episcopal Church at the time of the shooting, whenever they got away with something. to learn how she handles the lingering effects Much of the film is overly focused on the sub- in her new posting. The third segment turns Birth on the Border HHH jects’ old crimes, including several re-enacted to communities that face continuous trauma, (2018) 28 min. In English & Spanish w/English felonies that look somewhat silly. More could focusing on Hartford, CT, where Pastor Sam- subtitles. DVD: $89: public libraries; $195: have been accomplished in this well-meaning uel Saylor, Jr. of Gardner Memorial AME Zion community colleges; $295: colleges & universities. project by simply keeping the spotlight on Church must find a positive way to confront Women Make Movies. PPR. Closed captioned. the very real national problem of fatherless an epidemic of violence that has also claimed People legally cross the U.S.-Mexico bor- sons. But the real aim of The Father I Never his own son. In the fourth episode, Cribben der for work, to visit family, or in hopes of Knew is to point viewers toward Jesus, with interviews Fr. Basil O’Sullivan of Dunblane, a better life. Pregnant women from Ciudad a promise that by accepting Christ, lost boys Scotland, where an elementary school shoot- Juárez come across the border specifically can become adults who successfully break ing occurred in 1996, in order to understand to give birth, gaining entrance by way of the chain of abandonment in their families. how a community deals with the lingering border crossing cards that allow them 72

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 46 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 hours to conduct their business. Director Ellie Fire Island represented a contrast to the larger dry and insular at times, but its suggestion Lobovitz speaks with patients and midwives and often merciless world that existed for that a generational change is coming to meet on both sides of the border. Lina, a midwife gays and lesbians outside its relatively safe the challenges of a crashing environment from East Los Angeles, sees a lot of women confines. Extras include an intro by Fisher, is encouraging. Recommended. Aud: C, P. who are stressed from the crossing, so her first bonus interviews, and a film festival Q&A. (T. Keogh) job is to help them relax. The anxiety is un- Recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh) derstandable since border guards can be un- The Dictator’s Playbook HHH sympathetic—if not downright hostile—and Current Revolution: Transforming (2018) 2 discs. 340 min. DVD: $34.99 ($64.99 they reserve the right to refuse admittance, America’s Electric Grid HHH w/PPR). PBS Video. SDH captioned. ISBN: 978-1- 5317-0923-5. even if a woman’s paperwork is in order. Some (2018) 37 min. DVD: $39: public libraries; $79: start to go into labor—even to crown—while high schools; $150: colleges & universities. DRA. Using a combination of charisma, fear, en route. Gaby, who had her son in El Paso Green Planet Films. PPR. SDH captioned. and propaganda, 20th- and 21st-century (where he now attends grade school), wanted Many utility customers want cheap, clean, dictators have assembled a playbook on to experience a safer birth than she would renewable energy instead of reliance on how to seize and hold power. This six-part have had in Juárez, where natural childbirth fossil fuels. But Wall Street loves making PBS-aired series examines the lives of six is less common and obstetric practices not as money, escalating prices reluctantly paid by dictators: North Korea’s Kim Il Sung, Iraq’s advanced. Luisa, who works at a market stall ordinary consumers in order to fund more Saddam Hussein, Italy’s Benito Mussolini, in Juárez, wanted to give her son the opportu- and more fossil fuel-fed power stations. Panama’s Manuel Noriega, Spain’s Francisco nities she didn’t have. Although she planned Filmmaker Roger Sorkin’s Current Revolution: Franco, and Uganda’s Idi Amin. These men to continue her schooling, the cartel-oriented Transforming America’s Electric Grid focuses were generally raised in poverty, often bullied violence in the area made that impossible, on the obvious market tension: people want and belittled as children, used the military with rape and murder at an all-time high. to go in a new direction, but an entrenched, to personally advance, and indiscriminately Luisa’s mother also had four cesarean births, deep-pocketed power industry resists change employed terror and violence as a means of and Luisa wanted to avoid the costs associated (unless it can figure out how to profit from control. Kim Il Sung created an alternative with that kind of medical care. According to change while crushing upstart competitors). reality, declaring himself a god-like figure Luisa’s father, “Childbirth in the hospitals in The documentary looks at the state of Georgia who won a great victory over America in the Mexico is extremely traumatic.” Gaby and Lu- as an example of the clash of old and new, as Korean War, while also constructing a per- isa both believe that the risk was worthwhile, well as what is involved in realigning crucial vasive cult of personality that was passed on and Lobovitz treats their stories respectfully relationships between utilities and pow- to his son and grandson. Hussein was both a in this sympathetic documentary. Recom- er-dependent businesses such as commercial wily politician and street-fighting thug, who mended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy) transportation. The political reach of the used nationalism, threats, fear, and violence fossil fuel industry sparks outrage in some to control the population. Surrounded by Cherry Grove Stories HHH who are drawn to alternative energy options, sycophants, Hussein lacked any real under- (2019) 77 min. DVD: $24.99. Breaking Glass particularly those who discover that investing standing of history or the worldview of other Pictures (avail. from most distributors). Closed in solar panels for their homes is hampered nations. Mussolini started as a journalist, captioned. by rules that blatantly favor existing power delivering words and images that helped to Many have heard or seen pop culture ref- companies. Current Revolution can be a little inspire Hitler’s murderous regime. Noriega erences to Fire Island (just off Long Island in New York City) as being a longtime vacation spot for gay men and women. Filmmaker Michael Fisher’s warm documentary Cherry The Devil We Know HHH Grove Stories chronicles the evolution of Fire (2018) 88 min. DVD: $95: public libraries; $395: colleges & universities. Island as a relatively safe haven for homosex- DRA. Tugg. PPR. uals and lesbians in the pre-Stonewall era, In this harrowing documentary, filmmaker Stephanie when even revealing one’s identity to family Soechtig presents a case study of harm wreaked by the release could land a person in jail. The film benefits of toxic chemicals into the environment, followed by corporate from generosity of spirit and the storytelling malfeasance in withholding knowledge of the danger from the abilities of a number of interviewees who public. The film begins with a DuPont plant in Parkersburg, WV, became regulars on the scene at the titular that began producing Teflon (used as a non-stick coating for Cherry Grove community on Fire Island as kitchenware) in the 1940s, and at the time assured locals that the far back as the 1950s, when rumors of a wel- manufacturing process posed no health threat. But a farmer who coming bubble-culture of nonstop hedonism, shared a stream where the plant dumped waste began losing his cattle to disease, and flamboyant entertainment, camaraderie, and plant workers were also affected—women gave birth to disfigured children and others supportive straight locals (who appreciated became ill, often with cancer. Schoolteacher Joe Kiger initiated a class-action lawsuit the seasonal tourist dollars) drew increasing that revealed the company knew that C8 (or PFOA)—a chemical used in Teflon—was numbers of visitors. A veritable mountain dangerous. When 3M, which manufactured C8 for use in its Scotchgard products and of amateur film footage was shot from the sold the compound to DuPont, stopped making it, DuPont’s subsidiary Chermours postwar years through the ‘60s, ‘70s, and began producing it themselves. Kiger’s class-action suit led to a nearly $700 million beyond, making very clear not only the open settlement, but many felt that DuPont got off easy. Soechtig personalizes this unhappy sexuality, but also the good-neighbor policy story by interviewing employees at the plant who have become sick or recall those that instituted protections from police (who who have died, and by focusing on Bucky Bailey, one of the affected children, who eventually did try to bust members of the has had over 30 operations. She also notes that more than 99% of Americans show Cherry Grove community). The interviewees traces of C8 in their bloodstreams, and points to the revolving door at EPA (which here spin informative and engaging yarns creates a cozy relationship with chemical companies) as a reason why enforcement about the old days (Tennessee Williams shows is so lax. Recommended. [Note: this is also being sold on home video by Atlas Films up in a story and snapshot at one point), but for $14.99.] Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek) what comes across so strongly is how much

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 47 VIDEO LIBRARIAN drew on national pride, but was as much a gangster as a military man, smuggling drugs The Kleptocrats HHH1/2 and arms, while also laundering money. (2018) 82 min. DVD: $24.99 ($299 w/PPR from edu.passionriver.com). Franco was calculating, gaining consent Passion River (avail. from most distributors). from religious figures and elites, while also Sam Hobkinson and Havana Marking’s documentary shines purging enemies and wielding violence as a a spotlight on one of the most astonishing political scandals tool, believing that any show of mercy was a to impact Asian politics: the connection between Malaysian weakness. And Amin relied on the politics of banker-philanthropist Jho Low and Malaysia’s prime minister, distraction, ethnic expulsions, wars against Najib Razak (who served from 2009-18). Low gained notoriety neighbors, and state-sanctioned torture and for his extravagant parties and friendship with Hollywood stars murder to hold power. The Dictator’s Playbook including Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert DeNiro, but behind the notes that the dictators also learned from glitz he was focused on a money-laundering scheme of mammoth one another, employing the modern media proportions. The core of Low’s mischief was the Malaysian wealth fund 1Malaysia De- to confuse, fan hatred, and indoctrinate; velopment Berhad (1MDB), which was created to invest Malaysian funds into projects building public works for self-glorification; that would enrich the country’s coffers. A $1 billion investment in 2010 into the start-up and getting secret police and henchmen to Petro Saudi seemed more than a bit curious, and a battalion of investigative journalists do their dirty work, while appearing to stay began to piece together how 1MBD was being used to enrich Low and Razak. While above the fray. Insightful comments from Razak could use his office to crack down on Malaysian reporters trying to uncover the scholars and historians are interwoven with truth, journalists affiliated with U.S. media outlets including the Wall Street Journal, archival footage to present an unflinching, New York Times, and Hollywood Reporter kept digging and discovered a tale of greed that cautionary look at a modern-day political had little precedent on either side of the Pacific. A fast-moving, compelling portrait of plague. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees) high-finance corruption, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall) Game Girls HH (2019) 82 min. DVD: $24.99. Breaking Glass would like to continue her studies and enter the fate of his family if he were to end up in Pictures (avail. from most distributors). Closed the workforce after marriage, but she has no prison, so Naing goes into exile in Thailand. captioned. idea if her husband will allow that. The sisters’ At first, it’s a life of poverty and loneliness, Polish filmmaker Alina Skrzeszewska’s relation will also be tested because Fatima is but then he gets a job as a bike courier and documentary portrait of life on the streets set to move with her new husband to Casa- meets some Myanmar migrant workers (he for two Southern California misfits is more blanca. Until that time, the film follows the estimates there are two-to-three million in sensational than enlightening. Homeless siblings as they engage in their family’s farm Thailand, most illegally). Naing decides to African American lesbian couple Teri and work, which includes harvesting, milking document the lives of some (which allows Tiahna struggle with mental illness, periods goats, and collecting grass in large baskets. But him to continue his own filmmaking project), of incarceration, trouble in the Skid Row they also see the outside world via TV and are including Kyaw Moe Win, a child corn picker, section of Los Angeles, conflicts with social made aware of the more progressive policies and Ko Zaw and Ma Cho, a couple who work services, and battles with each other. Over the that guarantee equal rights for women in on a lime and papaya plantation. Naing learns course of a year, Skrzeszewska follows older their country. Despite its rather quotidian that managers pay less than they promise and and tougher Teri and younger Tiahna as they title, House in the Fields is a very insightful that malaria is a constant threat. When two try to hold onto love and comfort in their and captivating film about the complexities workers are caught stealing cow dung to sell, union despite constant challenges. But as of modern Islamic society as it relates to the they are shot (one survives, and is then set on pressures mount and some hopes don’t work rights of women and the educational aspira- fire). Meanwhile, Naing’s father falls ill, which out, the two get into scrapes over numerous tions of teenage girls. Hadid’s film beautifully only increases his desire to go home. In 2010, issues (some of them pretty absurd, such as frames the sisters within their domestic Myanmar finally releases opposition leader literally spilled milk). And when a serious setting and the wider Moroccan society, and Aung Sang Suu Kyi from a 17-year house arrest domestic crisis breaks out at one point, Game handles the balance between daily chores and and President Sein welcomes back refugees Girls can’t help but resemble something out of personal dreams with grace and sincerity. A and political exiles, clearing the way for Na- tabloid video. Skrzeszewska’s problem is not powerful documentary filmed in a section of ing to return. While there is a happy ending quite knowing what to do with much of her North Africa rarely seen in the media, this for Naing, his film makes it clear that he was well-intended material, which veers danger- is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall) one of the lucky ones. Recommended. Aud: ously close to voyeurism in the absence of a C, P. (K. Fennessy) clearer theme and stronger narrative. Extras In Exile HHH include additional interviews. Optional. Aud: (2016) 72 min. DVD: $375. DRA. Grasshopper The Two Faces of a Bamiléké Woman C, P. (T. Keogh) Film. PPR. HHH While living under Myanmar’s 20-year (2016) 76 min. In French & Bamiléké w/English House in the Fields HHH1/2 military dictatorship, director and camera- subtitles. DVD: $348. Icarus Films. PPR. (2017) 86 min. In Tamazight with English man Tin Win Naing could only film in secret subtitles. DVD: $34.95: individuals; $160: public In a deep, hypnotic voice, filmmaker Ros- libraries; $320: colleges & universities. DRA. and was unable to share his work publicly. ine Mbakam narrates a trip back home to her Documentary Educational Resources. PPR. “What they feared most were cameras,” native Cameroon, a former French colony, in Filmmaker Tala Hadid’s documentary fo- he states, a stance that greatly restricted this video essay that in style falls somewhere cuses on a pair of teenage sisters living in an members of the media and filmmaking between the experimental films of Chris Amazigh community in the Atlas Mountains communities (who risked 10-year prison Marker and the autobiographical cinema of of Morocco. Sixteen-year-old Khadija has her sentences under the Electronic Law Act). In Ross McElwee. At the time, the country was mind set on becoming a lawyer while her old- 2007, Naing filmed the Saffron Revolution, celebrating 55 years of independence, and er sister Fatima is being made to quit school a protest movement led by monks, and in Mbakam, who had been living in Belgium, because her family has arranged for her to be 2008, he captured the aftereffects of Cyclone brought her young son with her. Just as she married to a man she barely knows. Fatima Nargis. A year later, authorities began to arrest has two Bamiléké names—one from her his associates and he started to worry about

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 48 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 mother’s side, the other from her father’s— author and broadcaster Dr. Ruth Westheimer, she wants her son to take part in the same novelist Howard Jacobson, chess grandmaster tradition. Mbakam’s mother, Mâ Brêh, who Judit Polgár, architect Daniel Libeskind, psy- wears traditional printed dresses, describes chologist Steven Pinker, and theorist Noam her daughter’s work as “taking photos so that Chomsky. One segment explores Jewish ac- we can see them at the cinema.” Considering complishments in music, while another looks that she has only visited a theater once, it’s at Israeli innovation in technology, including 50 years after man’s first step on the not surprising that movies are a mystery such areas as drip irrigation and desalination, moon in 1969, the earth’s satellite is at both of which are essential to prosperity in to her (when she saw people shooting and the core of geopolitical and economic killing each other on screen, she naturally the arid Middle East. So, what is the answer stakes. The Moon has also become a thought it was really happening). During the to the titular question? Many of the commen- day, Mâ Brêh sells fresh produce and dried tators, such as Rabbi Reuben Poupko, point to new source of energy and resources. fi sh from a market stall. Her own mother was Judaism’s essential quality as a religion of the Despite International treaties stating one of three co-wives, just as she was one of word that has predicated its very survival on it cannot be appropriated by any state two, but when her husband died, she married education. Others argue that persecution has or company, the Americans, Russians, her co-wife’s son. In the fi lm, Mbakam talks made the drive to succeed even more urgent, Chinese, Koreans and Indians are already to her mother about almost every aspect of and that envy of Jewish accomplishment has making plans for the Moon, alongside her life as the latter cooks, cleans, and looks in turn exacerbated anti-Semitic prejudice. A companies privately funded by billion- through old photographs. Offering a glimpse fascinating fi lm that raises provocative issues, aires who see it as their new Eldorado, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek) into a vanishing way of life, which the di- further blurring the boundaries between rector approaches with a mix of curiosity, geostrategic and economic issues. sorrow, and affection, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy) TEEN ISSUES 2019 | 52 mins | SDH subtitles Why the Jews? HHH (2018) 70 min. DVD: $95: public libraries; $395: Straight Talk about Sexual Harassment colleges & universities. DRA. Tugg. PPR. HHH www.greenplanetfilms.org Filmmaker John Curtin’s documentary (2019) 17 min. DVD: $149.95 (study guide asks why the Jews, as a small and unremit- included). Human Relations Media. PPR. Closed 415-377-5471 tingly persecuted people, have excelled in captioned. ISBN: 978-1-62706-114-8. so many areas of human activity. Following This well-produced program on the pe- [email protected] a brief introduction enumerating notable rennially timely topic of sexual harassment Jewish thinkers over the centuries and states that nearly 50 percent of middle and pointing to the large percentage of Jewish high school students and 60 percent of col- Nobel Prize winners, Curtin turns to inter- lege students have experienced some form views with fi gures in a wide variety of fi elds of harassment. The video identifi es different who offer observations about the causes for types of harassment, discusses long term Jewish overachievement relative to other effects, and offers suggestions on handling groups—among them the late Israeli states- and reporting incidents. Important issues man Shimon Perez, lawyer Alan Dershowitz, raised along the way include the fact that

Southern Pride HHH (2019) 86 min. DVD: $24.99. Uncork’d Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). SDH captioned. Donald Trump becomes president, and among those feeling marginalized and unprotected in a polarized, crueler America are the LGBTQ communities in two small Mississippi towns, as witnessed in fi lmmaker Malcolm Ingram’s eye-opening documentary Southern Pride. The fi lm serves up what are essentially linked stories about gay bars in Biloxi and Hattiesburg, both of which are operated by strong-willed women who understand their roles as anchors for minorities who would otherwise be isolated and even endangered (a series of murders of transgender women in the state becomes a chilling backdrop to the story). The major focus here is on Biloxi’s Lynn Koval, a white lesbian whose team of supporters has helped her turn her bar into a community hub where fundraising events raise tens of thousands of dollars, and poor LGBTQ folks come to fi nd jobs and emergency resources. When Koval decides that it’s time to respond to haters with the fi rst Pride parade in town, she and fellow organizers quickly run up against obstacles thrown in their path. Meanwhile, in Hattiesburg, black lesbian Shawn Perryon’s efforts to put together a Black Pride parade are bumping into similar resistance that is mixed with white supremacy. Ingram’s ambitious fi lm sometimes strays from the central narrative (material on Hurricane Katrina and Mardi Gras feels tangential), but overall Southern Pride is a bold and necessary fi lm about defending one’s right to be part of the tapestry of American life. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 49 VIDEO LIBRARIAN sexual harassment involves abuse of power, expands to consider the NYPD12 (a group eventually taken up by the North Carolina everyone has a right to feel safe and protected, Gonzalez belongs to), which includes Edwin Innocence Inquiry Commission, which found and cultural messages do shape attitudes and Raymond, an African American repeatedly substantial prosecutorial misconduct, includ- beliefs. The executive director of a national denied promotion to sergeant, and other ing sloppy forensic work by investigators, cru- organization devoted to sexual education police officers who protest the quota system cial evidence that was withheld from defense clearly explains various facets of unwelcome and mount a class-action lawsuit. Various attorneys, and a reliance on two convicts behaviors, while teens talk about personal members disclose instances of retaliation in who gave false testimony against Taylor in harassment incidents, and an adult who group discussions and individual interviews. exchange for favorable treatment. After serv- experienced verbal and physical abuse in The impact of the practice on the public is il- ing 17 years for a crime he did not commit, his teen years because he was perceived as lustrated by the case of Pedro Hernandez, who Taylor was exonerated by a three-judge panel homosexual recounts his experiences. Digital after repeated arrests was locked up in Rikers in February 2010. Filmmaker Gregg Jam- bullying and federal laws protecting victims when he refused to confess to false charges back presents a disturbing and provocative in school and the workplace are also covered, of threatening a man with a gun. With the examination of Taylor’s case, detailing the and viewers are encouraged to report misbe- assistance of his mother and investigator/for- viciously deliberate attempt by prosecutors haviors to appropriate adults. Combining mer police officer Manuel Gomez, Hernandez to frame an innocent man, while also telling helpful commentary with short dramatiza- is eventually exonerated and released, but the heartbreaking story of Taylor’s family’s tions, this solid classroom-discussion starter not before serving a considerable stretch of indefatigable belief in his innocence and is recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (S. Beauregard) time. Pointing an accusatory finger at Police the severe emotional and financial hardship Commissioner William Bratton as a smooth- they suffered in order to secure his freedom. talking politician who tries to justify the sys- While the film makes it clear that this is not LAW & CRIME tem, the documentary closes with NYPD12’s a broad indictment of law enforcement and case still awaiting resolution. Presenting a the legal system as a whole, it does effectively strong critique of profit-based malfeasance illustrate how the fragile legal system can be Crime + Punishment HHH within the NYPD, this is recommended. Aud: brutally manipulated. Highly recommended. (2018) 112 min. DVD: $129: public libraries; $349: C, P. (F. Swietek) Aud: C, P. (P. Hall) colleges & universities. DRA. Good Docs (avail. from www.gooddocs.net). PPR. Closed captioned. In Pursuit of Justice HHH1/2 To a More Perfect Union: U.S. v. Windsor The controversy surrounding the misuse of (2018) 98 min. DVD: $89: public libraries; $295: HHH colleges & universities. DRA. The Video Project. the NYC police force to increase city revenue (2019) 63 min. DVD: $19.95. First Run Features PPR. Closed captioned. is the subject of filmmaker Stephen Maing’s (avail. from most distributors). Closed captioned. unsettling documentary, which focuses on On September 26, 1991, Greg Taylor’s In the march to legal recognition of quota policing and how it has led to systemic Nissan Pathfinder got stuck in mud near a same-sex marriage in the United States, the racism in practice. Crime + Punishment opens cul-de-sac in Raleigh, NC. The next morn- definitive Obergefell v. Hodges case decided by with Officer Sandy Gonzales discussing a ing, the body of a young woman was found the Supreme Court in 2015 may hold pride departmental culture in which beat cops face roughly 100 yards from where the vehicle of place, but the 2013 ruling in United States retaliation if they fail to meet minimum num- ran into problems. Taylor and his traveling v. Windsor was an important step along the bers of summonses and arrests—which put companion, Johnny Beck, were arrested for way. New Yorkers Edie Windsor and her long- money into the city’s coffers—each month. murder, but while the charges against Beck time partner Thea Spyer married in Toronto Those assigned to minority areas come under were dropped, Taylor was convicted and in 2007, but when Spyer died two years later special pressure to comply. The film then sentenced to life in prison. Taylor’s case was of multiple sclerosis, Windsor was required to pay hundreds of thousands in inheritance taxes because the marriage was not recognized under provisions of the 1996 Defense Guilty Until Proven Guilty HHH of Marriage Act. The tale of the women’s (2018) 52 min. DVD: $19.95. First Run Features (avail. from most life together was tenderly recounted in Edie distributors). & Thea: A Very Long Engagement (VL-3/11), The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the and this documentary from Donna Zaccaro world. A disproportionately high number of Americans of color might be considered a sequel. Following routinely become entangled in an uncaring justice system, in a brief sketch of the progress made by the which individuals charged with a crime can wait years behind gay rights movement from the 1960s to the bars before receiving their day in court. Within America, the state close of the last century, the film proceeds to of Louisiana has the harshest laws regarding the legal disposition Windsor’s decision to sue the government, of defendants (only 10 out of 12 jurors need to agree on a finding and lawyer Roberta Kaplan agreeing to take of guilt, for instance). And within Louisiana, the city of New on the case. Zaccaro skillfully melds archi- Orleans has the worst reputation for excessive and abusive police tactics (in fact, the val footage and interviews with Windsor, police department was under a consent decree from the Department of Justice at the Kaplan, legal experts Jeffrey Toobin and time this heartbreaking documentary was filmed). Filmmaker Harry Moses’s Guilty Nina Totenberg, and some supporters and Until Proven Guilty focuses on the experience of Tim Conerly, an African American opponents, making clear the hurdles the man arrested in 2014 in connection with an armed robbery, who waited 28 months plaintiffs had to surmount and the strategy for a trial. The film finds that the district attorney’s office that covers New Orleans is Kaplan devised to appeal to Anthony Ken- not just gung-ho on battling crime, but suspiciously overzealous and arguably strategic nedy, the swing vote on the court, which in overloading courts, thereby keeping the accused indefinitely in prison. A Louisiana resulted in a 5-4 victory. Zaccaro also shows chapter of the national nonprofit Innocence Project—tasked with freeing prisoners the immediate impact of the decision in var- unfairly convicted and imprisoned for many years—plays a heroic role here, but what ious states even before the broader Obergefell sticks with the viewer are the faces of men whose terrible treatment in notorious prisons ruling came down. Windsor is an engaging such as Angola has left them embittered and angry. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh) personality and this documentary further secures her status as a gay rights heroine.

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 50 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek) Genesis 2.0 HHH1/2 (2018) 112 min. In English & Russian w/English subtitles. DVD: $29.98 NATURE, MATH & SCIENCE ($345 w/PPR from www.kimstim.com). KimStim (avail. from most distributors). Filmmakers Christian Frei and Maxim Arbugaev’s moody Attenborough and the Sea Dragon documentary looks at the darker side of Raising the Mammoth and HHH1/2 similar gee-whiz Discovery Channel and National Geographic (2019) 53 min. DVD: $24.99 ($54.99 w/PPR). PBS science celebrations. On the Arctic island of New Siberia, climate Video. ISBN: 978-1-5317-0932-7. change has caused such extensive ice melting that numerous On the placid shore of southern England, mammoth carcasses and bones have come to light. Now, expe- a Jurassic ocean once stretched for 100 miles ditions of latter-day “mammoth hunters”—mostly impoverished from Devon to Dorset, and was home to the peasants deep in debt—spend seasons there in isolation, prospecting for ancient tusks Ichthyosaur, a huge, fearsome “fish lizard”— that emerge from the permafrost. Ancient ivory in pristine condition is coveted by or sea dragon—that dominated the waters faraway Chinese businessmen (and the mammoths currently offer a way around the for 150 million years. In filmmaker Sally embargoes on poaching and butchering present-day species). But there is also a network Thomson’s PBS-aired Nature documentary of scientists and mammoth obsessives (chiefly Russian brothers Peter and Semyon produced by BBC Earth, Sir David Atten- Grigoriev) who are looking for preserved frozen carcasses. Any living cells still viable borough looks at the rapidly eroding cliffs after thousands of years, they believe, will allow the revival of these extinct giants via where fossil hunters dredge secrets that are either cloning or hybrid “chimera” embryo-implantation. The filmmakers visit George often unearthed after turbulent sea storms. Church, America’s “rock star” of genetic engineering, and scandal-stained South Ko- The early dragons were air breathers, birthed rean cloning expert Woo Suk Hwang, but the action invariably returns to the harsh, live young, boasted keen eyesight, and orig- Werner Herzog-style narrative on New Siberia, where an ordeal of simple subsistence inally migrated from the land, becoming plays out amidst loneliness and deprivation, far from the schemes and vainglorious the ultimate predator in terms of jaw power. projects of the wealthy who are anticipating a DNA breakthrough. In both cases, the The creature traveled widely in search of viewer is left with an uneasy feeling that whatever develops from these frontiers of prey, eating anything it could find, and even science, ego, and exploitation, it will be tainted by less-than-noble agendas. Highly cannibalizing its own species. To the great recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady) excitement of the fossil hunters here, bones are uncovered in the cliff in a rare find that is mostly complete, but missing the head. his six-day trip. The next problem is muscle Rocky Mountains for national photography Remains are sent to the lab for analysis, loss and a weakening of bones. Astronauts magazines and written six books. Here, he including fossilized dung droppings, which must be vigilant about working out, striving climbs with two friends in Banff National could reveal what these monsters ate. The to remain terrestrial in the world of outer Park to capture the magnificence of one of dragon’s bite was twice as powerful as that of space (of course, the heart is also a muscle, the highest peaks in North America (in one a saltwater crocodile, and more information so astronauts must be in top shape before tense overhead shot, the three climbers are is presented on its mode of navigation, use of launch). And the artificial lighting and con- seen traversing a dangerously narrow walk- paddles, body size and shape, and similarities trolled air can feel monotonous, especially way with severe vertical drops on either side to modern sea dwellers such as the dolphin without any sounds of nature. The documen- as they approach the summit). Next, Zizka or Indonesian crocodile. Despite its fearsome tary presents insights from Russian, Japanese, sets out alone to photograph the lights and presence, this “king of the Jurassic sea” died French, Italian, and American astronauts, shadows of the Namib Desert and the night out for reasons unknown millions of years who discuss sensory deprivation and dealing sky in Southern Africa. Along the coastline, ago (Attenborough and others speculate that with occasional boredom and depression. On where shipwrecks are buried in the sand, Ziz- it fell victim to an even bigger predator). A the positive side, most experience an awe ka makes one vessel seem to come to life with captivating scientific mystery-adventure, this and wonder looking at Earth from space, his camera in the evening skylight. Lastly, is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees) while using coping mechanisms to handle Zizka travels to Southern Greenland to film the broken bond with home. Humans are the icecap and barren granite mountains of HHH social animals, but being comfortable alone this remote land. He photographs beautiful Homo Spatius turquoise pools of water formed from gla- (2018) 60 min. DVD: $24.99 ($54.99 w/PPR). PBS is essential. Women comprise only 10 percent Video. SDH captioned. ISBN: 978-1-5317-1006-4. of astronauts, but maintaining boundaries ciers melting on the icecap in the summer, and also kayaks a splendid fjord, and walks America’s first manned space flight in while performing bodily functions is a across a harsh landscape where few have 1961 lasted all of 15 minutes, but over the challenge, although the question of sexual ever visited. Saving the best for last, Zizka decades humans have spent an increasing relations during long spaceflights must wait captures the nighttime wonder of the aurora amount of time in space. Now, as NASA eyes for a future era. Offering an interesting look borealis—vivid green and pink lights danc- trips to Mars, that period may lengthen into at these “guinea pigs of science,” this is rec- ing above in the sky. A visual delight, this years. Are humans ready and suited for longer ommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees) is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Root) life in space? Filmmaker Jean-Christophe Ribot’s PBS-aired documentary explores In the Starlight HHH1/2 human fitness to live in prolonged periods (2019) 52 min. DVD: $39.95. DRA. Film Ideas. Ocean Quest: A Race to Map the Ocean of weightlessness, with relatively limited PPR. Floor HHH social interaction, and isolation from the Filmmaker Mathieu Le Lay’s In the Starlight (2019) 49 min. DVD: $19.99. DRA. Vision Video sights, sounds, and smells of life on Earth. follows French-Canadian photographer Paul (avail. from most distributors). The first problem that astronauts encounter Zizka on several adventurous and sometimes In filmmaker Shane Vermooten’s spirited with weightlessness is nausea, coping with risky expeditions to discover the unique documentary, a group of junior high and an environment in which there is no up or natural beauty in out-of-the-way places. high school kids enter the international down. Indeed, one astronaut was rendered Living amidst the Canadian Rockies with XPRIZE Global Ocean Mapping Challenge completely unproductive by nausea during his wife and daughter, Zizka has filmed the competition to map the ocean floor. The

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 51 VIDEO LIBRARIAN has delivered light for over 100 years, only a small percent of the electrical energy is Inventing Tomorrow HHH actually transformed into light; the remain- (2018) 87 min. In English, Spanish & Indonesian w/English subtitles. DVD: $129: high schools & public libraries; $349: colleges & ing energy is lost to heat. Newer LED bulbs universities. DRA. Good Docs (avail. from www.gooddocs.net). PPR. are much more efficient, generating greater light with far less heat emitted. Turning to The six high school students who attend the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Los Angeles in Laura chemical energy, the narrator points out Dix’s inspiring documentary all have the potential to make that gas-powered cars are only 25% efficient the world a better place. In Bangka, Indonesia, Nuha Anfaresi in utilizing fuel while the remaining energy says that tin mining fuels her country’s economy but devastates is expended as heat through exhaust or used the environment. In order to excavate the tin, which is used in by the brakes. Walking is technically more a wide range of electronic devices, legal and illegal operations efficient than running in terms of energy con- are carried out that produce lead, which in turn poisons marine life. Nuha has cre- version and biking beats both since less effort ated a filter to minimize the damage. Jared Goodwin, a third-generation Hawaiian, is required to move the body. Dropping an has created a map identifying arsenic deposits on Hilo created by dry board factory inflated ball from various heights illustrates runoff, a problem that is exacerbated by tsunamis. Through ponds, the arsenic seeps the power of gravitational pull to transform into the soil, causing adverse health effects. Sahithi Pingali, hailing from Bangalore, energy into kinetic energy, as the ball will India, laments that hundreds of lakes have disappeared due to sewage contamination bounce back up when it hits the surface but produced by the tech boom, while many that remain are flammable due to phosphates lose energy on each rebound. This concept and other untreated chemicals. She has created an app to make testing easy and is featured in prosthetic limbs that make use accessible. Concerned about the smog generated by diesel fuel, Jesus Martinez, Jose of the arch of the foot and tendon to capture Elizalde, and Fernando Sanchez, from Monterrey, Mexico, have created paint with and retain kinetic energy for the next step. A photo-catalytic properties to counteract the effects of carbon dioxide. In L.A., all six solid primer on various types of energy trans- contestants present their inventions to judges—which puts their communications formation that also explores the possibilities skills to the test—and it’s hard not to root for all of them. The underlying subtext here for future advances in energy efficiency, this is clear: the future scientists who will be most likely to save the environment need a is recommended. [Note: the other titles in supportive family, access to college-level resources, and events like ISEF to help bring the series are Forms of Energy and Measuring their ideas to fruition. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (K. Fennessy) Energy.] Aud: J, H, P. (T. Root) HEALTH & FITNESS team from Valley Christian Schools in Cal- alternatives to large-scale NASA launches, ifornia, along with their teacher and guide, including re-usable rockets, vertical landing know they can’t possibly win, but that isn’t space craft, and even rockets launched from the point. Their goal is create a plan to meet aircraft. The film chronicles the history of Cancer Rebellion HHH a discipline-crossing STEM challenge, apply rockets, from the pioneering research of (2018) 100 min. DVD: $19.99. Virgil Films (avail. themselves to making it work, and learn Robert Goddard, to the catch-up space race from most distributors). Closed captioned. from the experience, come what may. The efforts of the U.S. missions to the Moon, as Roger Daltrey of legendary rock band The boys and girls are a delightfully nerdy bunch well as the never-ending search for lighter, Who has long been a champion for kids with who willingly lose sleep when things get tight cheaper, but also safe fuels to boost the heavy cancer, raising money for research and for (including a middle-of-the-night plumbing payload. Space travel is quite expensive, off new clinics and hospital wings in the U.K. crisis at a hotel where the team stays). And the limits to all but a few entrepreneurs such as and U.S. that are devoted to treating teenag- kids ride an emotional roller coaster as their Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson. ers and young adults. Daltrey is credited as project (mastering a finicky “autonomous Visionaries like Musk are inspired by science executive producer (and appears in the film) underwater vehicle” meant to capture images fiction and the adventuresome spirit of the for this deeply-felt documentary made by of the sea floor) hits high and low moments. space program’s early days, but there are still cancer survivor Hernan Barangan—a young In the end, the team does far better in the big risks to consider alongside the potential American adult who learned of his diagnosis competition than one might have expected, rewards in the next generation of space explo- at age 15—as he travels to all 50 states to but the real victory lies in knowing that these ration. Manned flights to Mars may remain hear from other young people with cancer 13-to-16-year-old students now have a greater decades away (if ever), but missions to the experiences. This is not an easy challenge, measure of confidence and pride from achiev- Moon and space tourism could begin in the as Barangan now requires a wheelchair, but ing something hard. An inspiring true story, 2020s. Combining illustrative examples with he hits the road and makes the acquaintance this is recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (T. Keogh) insights from experts, this is recommended. of numerous teens who recall first hearing Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees) of their diagnoses from shattered parents Rise of the Rockets HHH who were informed of the news before the (2019) 60 min. DVD: $24.99 ($54.99 w/PPR). PBS Shedding Light on Energy: Energy patients. Barangan’s interviewees take viewers Video. SDH captioned. ISBN: 978-1-5317-0950-1. Efficiency HHH through the many physical and emotional No Americans have been launched into (2018) 30 min. DVD: $44.95. DRA. TMW Media stages of cancer treatment, from the side space from U.S. soil since 2011, although they Group. PPR. Closed captioned. effects of chemotherapy (like putting gaso- have hitched rides on spacecraft from other This entry in the Shedding Light on Energy line in your body, one young man says) to countries. But recent years have brought series explores how scientists and engineers the guilt of knowing that the financially exciting new ideas, notably privately fund- have increased the efficiency of energy sourc- crippling costs of care can ruin a family. The ed commercial rocketry, as deep-pocket es to produce more energy at lower cost. En- stories vary—one veteran of the war in Iraq, a entrepreneurs have pledged to back and ergy efficiency is a measure of useful output medical helicopter pilot, describes becoming build rockets to be used for research and compared to the amount of energy input. The ill while serving in the military—and Cancer space tourism. Filmmaker Christopher Ri- first lesson covers improvement in efficiency Rebellion sometimes feels a bit scattershot, ley’s PBS-aired NOVA documentary explores for light bulbs. While the incandescent bulb but it does offer a touching tribute to a wide

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 52 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 range of young people who have worked to little interest on the part of the Pentagon. transcend the limitations imposed by a brutal Presenting a prime example of military in- disease. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh) difference to real-world issues, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall) Plane Truths HHH1/2 (2018) 33 min. DVD: $225. Bullfrog Films. PPR. Qi Gong: 30 Day Challenge HHH SDH captioned. ISBN: 1-948745-03-8. (2018) 215 min. DVD: $29.95. YMAA Publication Mark Dworkin and Melissa Young’s short Center. documentary focuses on the audio havoc Master trainer Lee Holden presents a created by the U.S. Navy on Whidbey Island stress-relieving exercise program in which in Washington state. While the Navy had participants can challenge themselves to maintained a presence at Naval Air Station perform a seven-minute qi gong routine for Whidbey for years without incident, its use 30 days. Holden emphasizes flowing and of the EA-18G “Growler” jets for fl ight train- stretching movements designed to energize ing brought signifi cant new concerns. These the body, calm the mind, and promote jets are much louder than their predecessors, relaxation. He developed this challenge for and the regularity of the training fl ights time-strapped individuals, who can simply has increased substantially. As a result, the select the day’s set of exercises from the DVD Whidbey Island residents have begun to menu. As Holden performs each exercise, experience hearing-related problems that he describes the purpose and benefit of have been traced directly to the Naval Air each movement, stressing the importance Station. Complicating matters is the base’s of maintaining consistency for the best use of the PFOA and PFOS chemicals for results and noting that the routines can be fi refi ghting at the station’s landing strips— performed any time of the day. The daily chemicals that have seeped into the local exercises are occasionally repeated on other water system, forcing many locals to rely on days—sometimes with variations—enabling bottled water. Although the Whidbey Island participants to gain competency and fa- residents state that they are not anti-Navy, miliarity as the month progresses. Taken they nonetheless expect the military to together, the routines equal over three hours respond to these issues. The fi lm features of exercises that will help relieve tension in a single Navy offi cer answering questions, the head, neck, shoulders, and back, as well although it is obvious that he has no power as improve range of motion, strength, and to correct matters, while a news clip with fl exibility, while restoring vital energy to former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis non- the body. The picturesque California coast chalantly answering a question during a background adds a relaxed atmosphere for You want your DVDs Senate hearing on the situation suggests exercising. Recommended. Aud: P. (T. Root) and Blu-rays delivered shelf-ready, The Good Breast HHH don’t you? (2016) 94 min. DVD: $29.98 ($298 w/PPR from www.icarusfi lms. com). Icarus Films Home Video (avail. from most distributors). Closed captioned. Of course you do! Bernadette Wegenstein’s documentary follows four breast can that! cancer victims from diagnosis through treatment and post-op- We do erative follow-up—including surgery, problems arising from procedures, and counseling when outcomes do not meet ex- We’ll do MARC records and pectations. All are patients of Dr. Lauren Schnaper, Director physical processing of the Breast Cancer Center at the Greater Baltimore Medical to your specifications, Center, and her associate, Dr. Sheri Slezak, a plastic surgeon for Every. Disc. You. Order. specializing in breast reconstruction. Schnaper, whose manner is compassionate but straightforward, emphasizes the importance of mammography but also expresses Whether it’s from a some provocative ideas about the prevalence of radical mastectomy as the treatment of choice, and Wegenstein includes archival footage of Dr. William S. Halsted, who major studio or a specialty pioneered and promoted the procedure, to provide historical context (the fi lm also distributor likeBullfrog Films presents quite explicit footage of the operation itself). But while concentrating on the medical and psychological realities of the four cases, The Good Breast also adopts a Tugg, or Women Make wider cultural perspective, discussing the Christian legend of third-century martyr Movies, it can hit the shelf St. Agatha, who was tortured by having her breasts cut off. Now recognized as the right out of the box. patron saint of breast cancer victims, Agatha is venerated at an annual festival in her honor at her birthplace of Catania in Sicily, with Wegenstein following Schnaper and Slezak as they attend the event in order to attain a greater understanding of the importance of the breast as an ancient symbol of female strength. The fi lm serves a practical purpose by explaining breast cancer treatment for patients and their families, while also commenting on female empowerment. Extras include additional scenes, and a featurette on the music score. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek) www.ActionLibraryMedia.com

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 53 VIDEO LIBRARIAN The Goddesses of Food HHH (2016) 94 min. In English & French w/English Qi Gong for Beginners HHH subtitles. DVD: $29.95. DRA. Kino Lorber (avail. (2018) 85 min. DVD: $29.95. YMAA Publication Center. ISBN: 978-1- from most distributors). 59439-672-4. It should come as no surprise that the Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese practice that was only rela- world of gastronomy, as with those of busi- tively recently introduced to the outside world (the American ness, politics, and sports, is a microcosm of public was first exposed to qi gong in Bill Moyers’s 1993 PBS entrenched social biases and many uphill series Healing and the Mind). Several types of qi gong exist; efforts to bring about change. Filmmaker here, master trainer Lisa B. O’Shea introduces beginners Vérane Frédiani’s The Goddesses of Food might to both a novice and an intermediate routine of Fragrance sound like a fun title for foodies, but the Qi Gong. As energy flows through the body, senses may be documentary deals with gender inequality heightened, and healing can occur. Dressed in comfortable issues, #MeToo horrors, and archaic defenses clothing, with a beautiful view of the Cape Cod harbor, O’Shea first gives in- of patriarchy in the kitchen and dining room. struction for the eight movements of the beginner routine, and then repeats the Offering an ambitious survey of women chefs entire 15-minute sequence quietly to lovely music (she uses the same approach on three continents, the film finds a lot of for the intermediate routine). The beginner exercises consist of 15 easy palm and commonality in the experiences of female arm movements while standing (although these could also be performed sitting professionals whose culinary artistry is often down), including circling the palms, bringing the palms to the ears, moving the lost in the shadows of celebrity male chef cul- palms back and forth across the abdomen, and more. The intermediate exercises ture. Part of the narrative delves into an early combine palm and arm movements with leg action in two stances. O’Shea alter- 20th-century history of French women chefs nately locks and unlocks each knee, thereby rocking the hips, and then moves who became well-known but were against her hips by changing weight from one leg to the other. The various palm and arm allowing other women into their kitchen movements are coordinated with the leg movements in an easy to follow routine. “brigades.” More contemporary matters focus Offering a simple set of exercises that should leave viewers feeling energized and on the unwillingness of magazines and TV relaxed, this is recommended. Aud: P. (T. Root) to veer from the overwhelming championing of male chefs, and the tendency of Michelin guides and the various foodie organizations that award “master” designations to often be as ancient Egypt, China, and Japan. Hosted dismissive of women. Frédiani is sometimes RELATIONSHIPS & SEXUALITY and narrated by Scagliotti in an accessible a little too general in her point-by-point homespun style, this is recommended. Aud: contrasts between what women and men C, P. (F. Swietek) bring to gastronomy, but the former are in Before Homosexuals: From Ancient agreement that they are more intuitive about Times to Victorian Crimes HHH FOOD & SPIRITS food and better at multitasking because of (2017) 87 min. DVD: $24.95. First Run Features their traditional domestic roles at home. (avail. from most distributors). Closed captioned. The darkest material here sounds terribly Appearing in conjunction with the 50th familiar, as women in the kitchen note that anniversary of the Stonewall riots that Baristas HHH they eschew makeup in order to avoid sexual marked the beginning of the modern gay (2018) 98 min. DVD: $24.95. Passion River (avail. harassment. Viewers are ultimately left with liberation movement, filmmaker John Sca- from most distributors). the hope that these problems—along with gliotti’s documentary completes a historical Documentary filmmaker Rock Baijnauth’s so many others—will be solved generation- trilogy that includes 1984’s Before Stonewall 2015 film Barista followed five competitors ally, as sexist traditions finally go the way (with Scagliotti serving as producer—and also vying for the U.S. Coffee Championship of dinosaurs. Extras include deleted scenes. newly available on DVD in an anniversary title. His charming and suspenseful sequel Recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh) edition) and 1999’s After Stonewall, which Baristas expands the scope, focusing on the Scagliotti directed. Now he offers a prequel World Barista Championship, specifically of sorts, drawing on literary and artistic evi- four National Barista Champions: Chloe PETS dence to trace the history of homosexuality from Germany, Miki from Japan, Niall from from prehistoric and ancient times up to the Ireland, and Kyle from the U.S. The cameras late 19th century, complementing the visuals capture competitors as they prepare for the Catwalk: Tales from the Cat Show with commentary from such scholars as the grueling challenges that lie ahead in Seoul, Circuit HHH late Louis Crompton (University of Nebras- which include creating original blends and (2018) 75 min. DVD: $11.99, Blu-ray: $12.99. ka-Lincoln), Bernadette Brooten (Brandeis giving a talk to judges about how baristas Gravitas Ventures (avail. from most distributors). University), and James Saslow (The City do what they do. The film is driven by the Closed captioned. University of New York). The film concen- unique personalities of the sundry contes- Canadian filmmakers Michael Mc- trates on the West, discussing homosexual tants and the influences of their respective Namara and Aaron Hancox serve up the practices in ancient Greece and Rome and the home cultures on their work. Of course, most nakedly indulgent cat-watching doc- persecutions of those accused of sodomy (as it there are many other national champions umentary since Kedi (VL-11/17), following came to be called) in the medieval and early beyond Baijnauth’s subjects who are seeking a series of regional competitive cat shows modern periods, closing with a 19th-century that World crown, which makes the chances (mostly in Canada, but with a few visits to overview that places emphasis on figures such of any one of the quartet here triumphing the USA) and profiling the attendant per- as Walt Whitman and Oscar Wilde, as well much dicier. But watching the hard work sonalities—human and feline—who par- as others who struggled against societal con- and passion that goes into earning a place ticipate in the ritual judgings via awarded demnation of those who today are called gay, at the competition is indeed moving and points and collecting of ribbons. While the lesbian, and transsexual. But it also touches this should definitely appeal to coffee lovers. breeds Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest more briefly on such non-Western locales Recommended. Aud: P. (T. Keogh) cats make an appearance, the narrative

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 54 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 mainly boils down to a lighthearted champion horse race—or cat race, as depicted by Boss: The Black Experience in Business HHH1/2 CGI—between Bobby, a personable Turkish (2019) 120 min. DVD: $24.99 ($54.99 w/PPR). PBS Video. ISBN: 978- Angora in his prime, and the outrageous 1-5317-10 05 -7. powder-puff that is Oh La La, a striking For many African Americans, owning a business is a Red Persian on the verge of aging out of means of being independent and “making a way out of no competitions but who still stupefies judges. way.” Money was always important, initially as a means for While these top cats’ respective owners, slaves to buy their freedom from servitude. After the Civil Kim and Shirley, spend a great deal of time War, many blacks were hopeful, working with the newly and money chasing cat-show glory, their created Freedman’s Bank to buy tailoring or barber shops, as rivalry is healthy and convivial (no actual well as grocery stores. Filmmaker Stanley Nelson’s PBS-aired fur flies). The overall attitude is nicely documentary, narrated by Tamara Tunie, describes the epic summed up by a competitor who brings in struggle of African Americans to use their brains, skills, and hard work to rise to a luxuriant white shelter-rescue cat named prosperity, or at least a decent standard of living. Blacks suffered a triple blow when Maestro (who supposedly relishes classical white swindlers looted the Freedman’s Bank, Reconstruction ended, and punitive music): the point is to share these beauti- Jim Crow laws were instituted. The film looks at the related roles of black newspa- ful, adored pets with as many admirers as pers, the Great Migration north, and the fierce white backlash, particularly in a possible, and no cat lover would fault that. prosperous black business district in Tulsa, OK in 1921, when envious and bigoted Recommended. Aud: P. (C. Cassady) whites rioted, leading to hundreds of injuries and deaths. Every step forward was followed by temporary defeats, such as the Great Depression, the urban riots of BUSINESS & ECONOMICS the 1960s, and a loss of capital for black-owned businesses, although some blacks eventually gained entry and acceptance into white corporations. Other topics include a growing black middle class, and the appearance of publications such as Ebony, Jet, and Essence, which allowed blacks to control their own narrative. The HH1/2 Billion Dollar Bully music of Motown achieved a crossover landmark in its appeal to white audiences, (2019) 88 min. DVD: $19.99. Virgil Films (avail. from most distributors). Closed captioned. while a prouder and more assertive image led to success in hair care and grooming products, the financial juggernaut of hip hop and rap, and the more rarefied realm Filmmaker Kaylie Milliken attacks the of high tech. Race-related economic inequalities still plague America, but blacks influential, reader-rating, consumer-advi- continue to draw inspiration and lessons from the hard-won gains and challenges sory Internet site Yelp with guns blazing of the past. Drawing on numerous examples, coupled with historical anecdotes, (all from one side; Yelp did not respond to this is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees) interview requests or on-the-street executive ambushes). Interviewees including freelance journalist Amy Lane charge that the company—which profits substantially Diesel: The Industry’s Smokescreen off ad revenue—is practically mafia-like HHH SPORTS, GAMES & RECREATION in its approach: enterprises that are being (2019) 55 min. DVD: $59.99 ($299 w/PPR from reviewed can either pay up and magically edu.passionriver.com). Passion River (avail. from see any bad Yelp reviews disappear from most distributors). 350 Days HHH their listings via a “filter”…or not buy, and Remember “Dieselgate”? That shocking (2018) 108 min. DVD: $14.99, Blu-ray: $16.99. suddenly receive a large number of negative automotive scandal that began in 2015 is Gravitas Ventures (avail. from most distributors). Closed captioned. notices. A disillusioned ex-Yelp staffer says the subject of filmmaker Jules Giraudat’s that a big change came about with Yelp’s documentary. Beginning with the discov- Until Ken Burns makes a documentary first IPO; afterwards, ad sales were sub- ery by three researchers that Volkswagen saga on pro wrestling, filmmaker Fulvio ject to high-pressure boiler-room tactics. was installing software in its cars to fool Cecere suffices with an impressive undercard Anecdotes abound about vindictive and emissions tests regarding the amount of of old-time stars from the grappling circuit, ignorant “Yelpers” hurting small business- pollution released by their vehicles, the film going back to the old barnstorming days es, although a lot of the complaints come tracks the expanding focus of the investi- before Vince McMahon’s immensely popular across as basic yowls against social-media gation to include Renault, Citroën, Volvo, WWF/WWE. In a bluesy talking-head (and culture (what qualifies these strangers to Fiat, and Jeep Renegade. All of these models gravel-voiced) format, Bret “Hitman” Hart, publish opinions, how dare someone review exceeded European nitrogen oxide limits by Ted “Million Dollar Man” DiBiase, “Super- Auschwitz as a travel destination, where is up to 10 times in real-world driving (i.e., not star” Billy Graham, Abdullah the Butcher, government oversight, etc.). One might sus- in a test situation). Besides laying out these Lex Luger, George “The Animal” Steele, and pect—especially in the case of restaurants, a facts, the film also engages in a kind of other luminaries reminisce about their lives notoriously high-failure-rate business—that chase-the-culprits journalism that involves in “sports entertainment,” where wrestling Yelp, even with its billions in valuations, is taking the fight to industry figures who 350 nights per year in small towns in and out getting somewhat scapegoated by casualties would rather not speak on camera about of North America was not unusual. Wendi of the tough free market. Still, there are breaking laws and betraying consumers. Richter, the only lady wrestler here, fled a some possible lessons to be learned here Not surprisingly, the CEOs come across as repressive home to embark on a wrestling about unexpected consequences in the weasels, who are either running from the career and never looked back (but her devo- online realm—including that the film- filmmakers or providing vague answers to tion made having children and a personal makers had no trouble raising their budget pointed questions. Ultimately, one can’t life a hardship). Wrestlers describe ghastly via crowdsourcing, although many donors help but be stunned by the corrupt arro- injuries and illnesses (Paul “Mr. Wonderful” wished to remain anonymous, no doubt gance of the software ploy at the center of Orndorff blames steroid use for his cancer), for fear of (Yelp) retaliation. A timely, albeit this automotive controversy. Offering a sol- camaraderie on the road, and “ring rat” one-sided, documentary, this is a strong id examination of corporate malfeasance, female groupies (along with other marital optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady) this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh) stresses). Viewers are told that calling pro

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 55 VIDEO LIBRARIAN wrestling performances “fake” insults the athleticism (and pain tolerance) developed HHH by these practitioners, and actors Bill Murray Ferrante Fever (2017) 74 min. In Italian & English w/English subtitles. DVD: $29.99. and Sylvester Stallone are cited as Hollywood DRA. Kino Lorber (avail. from most distributors). SDH captioned. types who “got it” when they shared the screen with wrestlers. Dedicated to interview- Novelist Elena Ferrante is—ironically—best known for the ano- ees now sadly deceased, including Ox Baker nymity that she has studiously maintained, from the publication (who wrote a cookbook in retirement), this of her first book in 1992 up through her bestselling “Neapolitan engaging tribute is recommended. Aud: C, Quartet,” although many have speculated about her identity. P. (C. Cassady) Giacomo Durzi’s documentary cannot ignore the mystery, but for the most part simply gives admirers the chance to explain why they find her books compelling. Hillary Clinton, heard in a 3100: Run and Become HH1/2 radio broadcast, calls Ferrante’s writing hypnotic, while novelist (2018) 78 min. DVD: $50.99 ($125 w/PPR): public libraries; $295 w/PPR: colleges & universities. Jonathan Franzen, who enthuses over the distinctive voice he finds in her prose, also DRA. Collective Eye Films. Closed captioned. envies her ability to stay out of the publicity machine that he finds so irksome. Ferrante’s English-language translator describes how she was moved to undertake her work simply Runner and filmmaker Sanjay Rawal’s doc- as a result of reading one of the author’s books. Directors who have adapted her novels umentary combines spirituality and sports, for the screen recall how her written comments improved their screenplays, and literary focusing on the Self-Transcendence 3100 critics discuss why they think she deserves prestigious prizes. Ferrante herself also offers Mile race that takes place each June-August in perspective on her books (and her desire to let them speak for themselves) through New York. In addition to profiling two of the excerpts from letters and interviews, read by actress Anna Bonaiuto over grainy shots competitors, Rawal looks at other running of a woman walking down city streets. In addition, there are short animated versions competitions or traditions with a spiritual of scenes from some of the novels, as well as clips from movie adaptations. Ferrante underpinning. Ashprihanal Aalto, a newspa- Fever will appeal primarily to Ferrante’s fan base, but that is a large and growing group. per courier from Finland, is a long-distance Extras include a bonus featurette. Recommended. Aud: P. (F. Swietek) runner like Sri Chimnoy, who founded the race. Chimnoy, who died in 2007, was dedicated to the belief that sports could serve as a theatre in London—a groundbreaking series King Lear HHH means towards peace. The 52-day race, which bookended by Julius Caesar (2012) and The attracts participants from around the world, (2017) 194 min. DVD: $24.99. Opus Arte (dist. by Tempest (2016) that some initially derided as Naxos of America). requires that runners consume 10,000 calo- a gender-blind gimmick but most came to Kevin R. McNally is not one of those lumi- ries and complete at least 60 miles per day. praise as not simply daringly imaginative but Winners receive trophies rather than (or in naries of the British stage who, after a long ca- also extraordinarily powerful. Reduced to a reer treading the boards, finally tackles what addition to) cash prizes. Aalto, the top-ranked compact two-hour format through a creative runner, has a history of 31 finishes and eight is considered the Everest of Shakespearean process involving the Clean Break drama roles. Although he has done occasional work victories. Ultra-marathoner Ray “The K” company at Askham Grange Prison and York Krolewicz attributes his success to his com- in theatre, he has primarily been a character St. John University’s Prison Partnership Proj- pact size, quipping that he’s a “bird.” Rawal actor in film and TV, and is probably best- ect, the composite play is conceived as being also profiles Shamita Achenbach-König, an known for his role as Jack Sparrow’s first mate performed by incarcerated convicts who Austrian cellist who almost died in a race 20 in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. But in bring their varied accents and contemporary years before, so her husband, Dohai, worries Nancy Meckler’s 2017 production at London’s attitudes to the characters while conveying about her. “Although you don’t want to hear Globe Theatre, McNally delivers a strong per- the theme of generational conflict between this,” he says after days of heat and dehydra- formance as the king who unwisely excludes traditionalist father King Henry IV and his tion, “you should quit.” By the end of the the youngest of his three daughters from any dissolute son Prince Hal, with the latter finally race, two of the 12 runners have dropped part of his inheritance simply because she is forced to assume his family responsibilities out. Other races involve a solo runner in the insufficiently effusive in expressing her love by confronting the rebel Hotspur and disso- Navajo Nation of Arizona, the San Bushmen for him. Afterwards, he suffers humiliation ciating himself from his long-time partner in of Malawi’s Central Kalahari Game Reserve, as the two older siblings and their husbands revelry, Falstaff. Under Lloyd’s imaginative and a Buddhist monk at Mount Hiei in refuse him and his friends the respect he con- direction, the play—performed in the round Japan. While these stories are compelling, siders his due in retirement. McNally’s Lear is they don’t necessarily fit together as a whole, with grubby costumes and only minimal no doddering old man, but a leonine figure particularly the Bushmen section, which (and humorously improvised) bits of stage who stalks the stage and recites the verse vig- captures a vanishing way of life more than paraphernalia—generates extraordinary ten- orously—not, perhaps, in an especially subtle an athletic endeavor. Still, this should be sion, largely due to the intense performances reading, but definitely a viscerally powerful considered a strong optional purchase. Aud: by Harriet Walter (Henry IV), Clare Dunne one. Meckler’s vision is predicated on a sim- C, P. (K. Fennessy) (Hal), and Jade Anouka (Hotspur), along with ple concept: the actors are homeless people a knockabout comic turn as Falstaff by Sophie who take over the stage to perform the play, Stanton (who also musters the necessary pa- although the premise seems little more than a THE ARTS thos). The result is a paradoxically virile take device to allow for a minimalist staging, with on the play, even becoming a commentary on rickety sets and raggedy costumes. The rest of machismo in the combat sequences between the cast is adequate, but only in a few cases HHH Hal and Hotspur that are here presented as exceptional, notably Joshua James as Glouces- Henry IV boxing matches. While clearly not a tradi- ter’s son Edgar, who assumes the persona of (2014) 131 min. DVD: $24.99. Opus Arte (dist. by Naxos of America). tional version of Henry IV, this is a refreshing the beggar Poor Tom. Overall, this is a solid and effective rethinking. Extras include an presentation, ultimately worth seeing mostly This 2014 abridgement of both parts introduction to the play, audio commentary for McNally’s surprisingly effective turn. of Henry IV was the second in Phyllida by Lloyd, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and Extras include interviews with Meckler and Lloyd’s trilogy of all-female Shakespearean a cast gallery. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. McNally, and a cast gallery. Recommended. productions at the Donmar Warehouse (F. Swietek) Aud: H, C, P. (F. Swietek)

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 56 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 Will Work for Views: The Lo-Fi Life of transport a dying Marine during the middle Sebastian happened because somebody on the Weird Paul H of a grueling fight—struggle to reach the stage crew literally grabbed the unprepared (2017) 86 min. DVD: $24.99 ($299 w/PPR from wounded soldier. Combat Obscura provides musicians and pushed them out in front of edu.passionriver.com). Passion River (avail. from valuable extended footage of the war on the the audience (those who recall or know about most distributors). ground, and while several years have passed Country Joe McDonald’s notorious “fish The theme of filmmakers Joseph Litzinger since this material was filmed, it seems un- cheer” will enjoy the backstory of how that and Eric Michael Schrader’s documentary likely that the fight in 2019 looks all that came about). Among the recognizable faces Will Work for Views is that of persistence— much different. Extras include an interview here is that of Michael Lang, the cherub-faced holding on to a dream of success year after with Lagoze, and the director’s official De- organizer who is seen riding a motorcycle year that may one day arrive as a reward for partment of Defense videos. Recommended. around the festival in the classic 1970 docu- one’s work and vision. Unfortunately, the Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh) mentary Woodstock. As of this writing, Lang example of determination offered here is of has failed to put together a 50th-anniversary a middle-aged man named Paul Petroskey, Creating Woodstock HHH version of Woodstock. Extras include bonus who has spent decades trying to achieve (2019) 111 min. DVD: $19.99. Cinema Libre scenes. Offering fascinating insights into this media stardom by shooting juvenile videos Studio (avail. from most distributors). landmark cultural event, this is recommend- of himself acting like a dork. Although his Viewers will not hear much live music ed. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh) passion preceded the arrival of the Internet, from the legendary three-day rock festival Petroskey found his perfect home as a You- that took place on Max Yasgur’s farmland The Long Ride HHH Tube performer. When he’s not acting the fool a half-century ago in filmmaker Mick Rich- (2019) 77 min. DVD: $39, Blu-ray: $49: or playing original music online, Petroskey is ards’s memory-driven documentary Creating individuals; DVD: $250, Blu-ray: $260: seen working in his job at a video store and Woodstock. What they will get in this stream community colleges; DVD: $350, Blu-ray: $360: trying desperately to attract attention on a of recollections shared by a number of public libraries, colleges & universities. Share Productions (www.share.productions). street corner for a club date where he’ll be Woodstock’s behind-the-scenes producers singing his nonsense tunes (in fairness, he is a sometimes surprising oral history of the With attitudes toward immigrants hard- does have a small cult audience that turns incredibly complicated logistics and financial ening in the wake of 9/11, leaders of the San up at these unpaid gigs). It’s not that a viewer challenges involved in pulling off the festival. Francisco hotel and restaurant employees’ should feel contempt for Petroskey—the guy As many already know, Woodstock quickly union in 2001 protested for the rights of im- can live his life however he wants—but why turned to chaos when hundreds of thousands migrant workers, who were often targeted by would anyone want to squander 90 minutes of attendees overwhelmed the admissions their bosses. Inspired by the Freedom Rides of of their own lives watching class-clown silli- staff, forcing organizers to declare the event the 1960s, they organized a cross-country bus ness from Petroskey’s archives, or listen to his free. But well before the concert there was caravan to Washington, D.C., to lobby Con- despair over whether he’ll one day be recog- plenty of drama as land-use permits were gress for legislation that would create a path nized as a cultural asset. Not recommended. granted and then denied by hippie-fearing to citizenship for all immigrants and protect Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh) officials, and ad-hoc deals with promoters, against workplace mistreatment. Filmmaker backers, unions, and others had to be final- Valerie Lapin Ganley’s documentary draws on ized. The most interesting and (in retrospect) footage from this 2003 “long ride,” which was HISTORY & CURRENT EVENTS often funniest stories involve complications widely publicized to generate public support. with getting artists to the stage amidst an au- Cameras recorded the camaraderie among dience that was nearly half-a-million strong. the 900 riders who occupied the 18 buses Combat Obscura HHH Improvisation was key: historic performances that left various cities to meet in the nation’s (2018) 70 min. DVD: $34.99, Blu-ray: $39.99. by Ritchie Havens, Arlo Guthrie, and John capital for a rally. Excerpts are included from Oscilloscope (avail. from most distributors). As a United States Marine stationed in Afghanistan in 2011-12, filmmaker Miles Lagoze was tasked with shooting video foot- The Man Who Shot the Great War HHH1/2 (2016) 59 min. DVD: $24.99 ($199.99 w/PPR). Dreamscape Media. age of the war (some of which has shown up Closed captioned. in media outlets like CNN). But Lagoze, who worked his shaky camera during firefights Filmmaker Brian Henry Martin’s BBC-aired documentary with the Taliban, also kept it rolling in many offers the first-ever public viewing of hitherto unknown photo- other situations, resulting in a mountain of graphs from the Western Front during the height of World War revealing outtakes of the Forever War that he I. The photos were taken by Lance Corporal George Hackney, a has held onto all these years. That delay was Belfast soldier and amateur shutterbug who brought his portable not because Lagoze was fashioning a glossy camera into military service. Although Royal Army rules forbade tell-all documentary dripping with political soldiers from taking unofficial photographs in the trenches, context. In fact, Combat Obscura is comprised Hackney managed to create hundreds of pictures of his com- of the roughest of barely-edited raw footage, rades. Hackney’s photographs were only known to his family until he donated his and has the look of a major event on cable collection to the Ulster Museum shortly before his death in 1977, but the contents news before a producer determines what can were archived and never shown until Martin first learned about them in 2014. The be shown and what the narrative should be. archival photos reveal that Hackney’s camerawork under difficult circumstances was What Lagoze captures are moments of fatal both polished and sophisticated, capturing the emotions of British soldiers in relaxed mistakes and overreach by American occu- candid moments before battles and later in haunted expressions following bloody piers, from shelling the wrong building to conflicts. Hackney’s illegal actions were never detected by his superiors, but after rounding up men in a village because their the war he put away his camera and rarely talked about his military service. Actor gathering looked to an officer like a Taliban Ian McElhinney appears in dramatic re-creations of Hackney late in life. Offering a meeting (it wasn’t). But there is also gripping fascinating glimpse of the Great War from a different angle, this will certainly appeal real-time drama of battle, including a fraught to history buffs. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (P. Hall) scene in which a helicopter crew—aiming to

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 57 VIDEO LIBRARIAN Tsar Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra, Woodstock: Three Days That Defined a Generation who drank from the “poisoned chalice” of history. Through a combination of bad HHH1/2 luck, bad timing, and bad decisions, their (2019) 95 min. DVD: $24.99 ($54.99 w/PPR). PBS Video. ISBN: 978-1- 5317-0977-8. love story led to the violent downfall of a regime that had endured for 300 years. Not to be confused with Michael Wadleigh’s famous 1970 Hosted by Dr. Suzannah Lipscomb, this Woodstock, filmmaker Barak Goodman’s PBS-airedAmerican PBS-aired documentary explores the tragic Experience documentary offers a 50th-anniversary perspective tale of a couple who profoundly affected on what made the three-day event not just a cultural but a 20th-century world history. The related pair sociological phenomenon, filling enormous gaps in the general met at a wedding when Nicholas was 16 and knowledge related to the Woodstock festival that transpired Alexandra 12, the latter a German princess over the weekend of August 15-18, 1969. Taking a soup-to-nuts with strong English connections. Nicholas approach, the film begins with a story about how surprising opportunities presented was smitten and determined to marry Al- to two sets of business partners—who were willing to break social and class norms to exandra when she got older, although the strike a deal together—led to a get-rich-quick plan to produce an outdoor music and Russian royal family thought the union arts festival. Months later, the trouble started when the town of Wallkill in upstate was inappropriate. Nicholas is charac- New York revoked permits to use a stretch of land after investors had already sunk a terized here as a “nervous virgin,” while ton of money and preparation time into developing the site. Dairy farmer Max Yasgur Alexandra was prissy, priggish, and deeply offered his enormous natural amphitheater field in Bethel as an alternative, which religious, at first resisting calls to convert the promoters gratefully accepted. But with limited time, manpower, and box office to the Russian Orthodox church. When oversight before opening day, most of the fencing was not built (at zero hour, the choice young, Nicholas—who wasn’t particularly came down to fences or the stage, and the latter naturally won), so eventually hundreds intelligent—was shielded from state affairs, of thousands of people without tickets streamed in. Much of this is familiar lore, but but after seeing his grandfather assassinated less widely known are the many pieces of the mosaic that illustrate why Woodstock he turned fatalistic. The pair tried to create really was a shining example of how various cultures—young and old, military and their own world and its rules, with pet terms civilian, urban and rural, etc.—combined to create a peaceful event that would be of endearment, but the real world intrud- remembered as a watershed ‘60s moment (four months later it would all go wrong at ed in the 1905 uprising and Communist Altamont). Woodstock interweaves voiceover interviews (many archival, with no talking agitation. Alexandra unwisely counseled heads shown) with performance clips of Richie Havens, Country Joe and the Fish, Joan her husband to be more autocratic and roll Baez, Santana, the Who, and others, along with copious archival footage shot in and back reforms, and when their hemophiliac around the concert that looks like it could have been outtakes from Wadleigh’s classic son was born, they enlisted the help of the doc. A generous number of stories detail many kindnesses: Wavy Gravy and the Hog self-proclaimed healer and mystic Rasputin. Farm offering aid and food to festival attendees; nearby farmers (including Yasgur) When war broke out, Nicholas toured the and rural communities organizing food drives to feed the hungry concertgoers; and eastern front in an attempt to inspire the military medical personnel helicoptering in to provide assistance. A half-century later, troops, although he spent much of his time Woodstock still inspires. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh) working on puzzles. Meanwhile, things unraveled back home, and exhibiting a interviews with citizens and non-citizens, of filmmaker Shiva Kumar’s ambitious combination of “iron will and monumen- who were met by supporters along the way documentary, which really focuses on the tal stupidity,” Nicholas waited too long to as well as protesters. One bus was stopped question of how civilization hangs onto abdicate, leading to the merciless slaughter by INS inspectors, who ordered non-citizens the memory of the Holocaust over time as of his family. Drawing on the royal couple’s off for interrogation before allowing them eyewitnesses die. The film explores various letters, this cautionary history lesson about to proceed. The Long Ride also features brief efforts to tell and retell the horrors of those hunger, war, and revolution is highly rec- appearances by Representative John Lewis, events through diverse agents: survivors and ommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees) who joined the convoy for a time, and Sena- their descendants, museum directors, histo- tor Edward Kennedy, who spoke at the rally rians, artists, and more. The challenges of Shoah: Four Sisters HHHH (participants also stopped by Nancy Pelosi’s reconciling different subjective accounts and (2017) 273 min. In French, German, English & Hebrew w/English subtitles. DVD: $25.99, Blu-ray: office). As a postscript filmed 11 years later conflicting details are also covered, as well $30.99. Cohen Media Group (avail. from most demonstrates, the riders still look back with as some fascinating post-war chapters (ac- distributors). enthusiasm, even if their major goal—a companied by remarkable archival footage) Claude Lanzmann’s monumental 1985 path to citizenship—might seem further about the significance of displaced persons oral history of the Holocaust, Shoah (VL- away than ever. A memento of an important camps, the rebirth of Jewish community and 10/87), is justifiably considered a classic of episode in the struggle for immigrant rights, tradition, and the founding of Israel. Kumar both documentary filmmaking and com- this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek) probes important questions about what and munal testimony regarding the greatest hor- how we will tell future generations about the ror of the 20th century. Shortly before his Memory After Belsen HHH1/2 Holocaust, so that humanity never forgets. death at the age of 92 in 2018, Lanzmann (2019) 73 min. DVD: $19.99. DRA. Vision Video Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh) released this tetralogy of interviews with (avail. from most distributors, Oct. 15). female Holocaust survivors (which were not Memory After Belsen begins as a tale of Nicholas & Alexandra: The Letters used extensively in Shoah) that serves as a 30-year-old Robyn Thaler Hickey’s search for HHH1/2 fitting coda to his masterwork. The stories connection to her late grandmother and the (2018) 100 min. DVD: $24.99 ($54.99 w/PPR). differ in details, but each reflects common latter’s harrowing experiences during WWII PBS Video. SDH captioned. ISBN: 978-1-5317- grief and guilt. Hannah Marton defensively of being shuttled from one extermination 1018 -7. recounts her escape on a train of mostly camp to another and then finally surviving A prime example of love stories without well-to-do Hungarian and Romanian Jews Bergen-Belsen. But that’s just the beginning happy endings is the marriage of Russia’s that was arranged, controversially, by Rez-

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 58 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 so Kasztner with Adolf Eichmann. Paula although in this respect the pugnacious Roo- Biren ruefully recollects life in Poland’s BIOGRAPHY sevelt would let Carnegie down. Historians, Lodz ghetto, where she was a member of authors, philanthropists, professors, and fam- a women’s police force that was inevitably ily members talk about Carnegie, combined collaborationist. Ada Lichtman recounts Andrew Carnegie: Rags to Riches, Power with archival and contemporary footage and how she was one of the Polish prisoners to Peace HHH photos along with animated maps to help in the Sobibór camp chosen to clean and (2015) 75 min. DVD: $50.99 ($125 w/PPR): public track his accomplishments. Although some dress dolls taken from Jewish children so libraries; $295 w/PPR: colleges & universities. DRA. descendants of Carnegie speak onscreen, that they could be given to the daughters Collective Eye Films. Closed captioned. the fi lm mainly concentrates on Carnegie’s of their former owners’ killers. And in the You don’t have to be a librarian to know professional accomplishments, philanthropic most agonizing segment, Ruth Elias de- who Andrew Carnegie is, the steel magnate acts, anti-war endeavors, and other interests. scribes how Josef Mengele singled her out and philanthropist who donated approx- Despite occasionally loud background music, for experimentation when he discovered imately $356 million during his lifetime, Andrew Carnegie presents an evenhanded look that she was pregnant. There are haunting funding nearly 3,000 libraries and other at the steel magnate whose legacy lives on moments in each interview—Elias singing institutions, including Carnegie Hall in New through buildings, trusts, and foundations. Czech folk songs while accompanying York City. But there was also much more to Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Beauregard) herself on the accordion; Lichtman fuss- Carnegie, according to Vicky Matthews’s ing with the dolls she has collected, while documentary, which begins with Carnegie’s Gandhi’s Gift HHH her husband, also a Sobibór survivor, sits birth in 1835 in a small village in Scotland. (2017) 59 min. DVD: $24.95: individuals; $295: tearfully beside her; Marton obsessively Due to an economic downturn, Carnegie’s institutions. Heaven on Earth Creations. Closed consulting her husband’s diary to be precise parents left for the U.S., settling in Pittsburgh. captioned. ISBN: 978-0-9787572-1-2. about how he worked to secure their inclu- Carnegie’s fi rst job was as a “bobbin boy” in Filmmaker Kell Kearns’s documentary sion on Kasztner’s list—but all four, simply a factory, and through “Scottish determina- combines narration, archival material, new- edited with minimal archival additions, are tion” he was able to work his way up, taking ly-shot footage, and excerpts from interviews powerful acts of memory bound together by risks and ultimately building a fortune in the with scholars, followers, and relatives—in- shared suffering. Bonus features include a steel industry. In an authentic Scottish burr, cluding grandson Rajmohan Gandhi and conversation with scholar Bernard-Henri Brian Cox reads text inspired by the words granddaughter Ela—to present a moving Lévy about Lanzmann’s work fi lmed at the of Andrew Carnegie, while in later segments portrait of Mohandas Gandhi’s fi nal years, Streicker Center of New York City’s Temple Corey Johnson narrates Theodore Roosevelt’s covering the period from his release from Emanu-El. Highly recommended. Editor’s comments. The two men forged a relation- prison in 1944 up through his assassina- Choice. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek) ship because of Carnegie’s work as a pacifi st, tion in 1948. Gandhi’s protest method of

LORRAINE HANSBERRY: SIGHTED EYES/FEELING HEART

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 59 VIDEO LIBRARIAN non-violent, passive resistance would prove instrumental in finally securing the end of The Gospel According to André HHH British colonial rule in 1947, and he hoped (2018) 93 min. DVD: $19.98. Magnolia Home Entertainment (avail. that the new nation would be a united, reli- from most distributors). Closed captioned. giously pluralistic state, but he found himself André Leon Talley isn’t a fashion designer himself, but several at odds with both the Muslim League led by well-known haute couture figures appear in Kate Novack’s doc- Muhammad Ali Jinnah and many of his own umentary, since Talley made his name as a fashion editor. Best Hindu colleagues, such as Jawaharlal Nehru, known for his decades-long stint at Vogue, Talley is semi-retired who ultimately agreed on partition along now. When he isn’t hosting his satellite radio show and dressing religious lines. When the split between India journalist Tamron Hall, he looks back at his career from the per- and Pakistan took place in August 1947, sec- spective of his well-appointed home in White Plains, NY. Talley tarian violence erupted, and Gandhi worked grew up in the Jim Crow South of Durham, NC, where he took to mitigate it, undertaking two hunger strikes inspiration from his strict, stylish grandmother. What she lacked in wealth, she made while preaching tolerance and calm. He was up for in style. “My escape from reality,” Talley remembers, “was Vogue magazine.” His murdered in January 1948 by a Hindu ex- interest in French culture led him to learn the language—and earn a master’s degree tremist. Kearns emphasizes Gandhi’s serenity in French literature at Brown University—which would serve him well during his during these final months as he rejected conversations with members of the fashion set. In 1974, he moved to New York, where admonitions to accept protection in the face he secured a gig as assistant to Vogue editor Diana Vreeland for a fashion show at the of threats and adopted an attitude that could Metropolitan Museum of Art, which led to jobs with Interview, Women’s Wear Daily, be termed fatalistic, hoping that if he were and eventually Vogue itself. As designer Tom Ford notes, “He’s so big and he’s so grand, killed his death would help bring peace to I think a lot of people think he’s crazy.” His regal bearing led Interview colleague Fran the new country. Kearns also discusses the Lebovitz’s mother to believe that he was an African prince (Talley’s 6’ 6” height has possible involvement of Vinayak Savarkar of also encouraged him to embrace capes and caftans). While Talley might have seemed to the militant Hindu Mahasabha Party in the be an unlikely fashion guru in the 1970s, Novack’s admiring portrait—which explores assassination. Gandhi’s Gift portrays Gand- issues of race as much as style—makes it hard to imagine a field in which he would hi’s final years not, as some have argued, in have been better suited. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy) terms of waning influence, but rather as a period in which he most fully exemplified the ideals he espoused. Recommended. Aud: sponsible. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh) ism, yet he felt comfortable straddling the C, P. [Note: the companion documentary worlds of politics and journalism. He promot- Gandhi’s Awakening is also available at the Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People ed the adventure-travel reporting of Nellie same prices.] (F. Swietek) HHH1/2 Bly, and attracted non-readers with comics (2018) 90 min. DVD: $24.99 ($54.99 w/PPR). PBS (one strip character led to the term “yellow Iyengar: The Man, Yoga, and the Video. SDH captioned. ISBN: 978-1-5317-1002-6. journalism”), while also including sheet Student’s Journey HHH As a Jewish immigrant from Hungary, music and cut-out dress patterns. Later years (2018) 106 min. In English & Kannada w/English Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911) came to Ameri- were marked by a rivalry with newspaper subtitles. DVD: $29.95 ($349 w/PPR from www. ca with a burning hunger for freedom and owner William Randolph Hearst, Pulitzer’s kinolorberedu.com). DRA. Kino Lorber (avail. from democracy, eventually becoming convinced promotion of a war with Spain, and grow- most distributors). that newspapers were a tool to advance ing blindness and sensitivity to noise that An ancient practice with roots in India, reform and inform the masses. Filmmaker ultimately led to a reclusive life. Interviews yoga gradually became a 20th-century phe- Oren Rudavsky’s PBS-aired American Masters with historians offer insights on Pulitzer’s life nomenon in the West largely due to the influ- documentary, narrated by Adam Driver and and legacy. Extras include an interview with ence of B.K.S. Iyengar, who died at the age of featuring the voice of Liev Schreiber as Pu- the director and additional scenes. Highly 95 in 2014. Filmmaker Jake Clennell’s infor- litzer, traces Pulitzer’s eventful life and his recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees) mative documentary profile combines loads enormous influence on journalism, which is of archival material with more recent footage still felt today. After arriving during America’s The Marquis of Wavrin: From the Manor of Iyengar’s public activities to tell his story. Civil War, Pulitzer joined a German-speaking to the Jungle HHH1/2 A sickly child from an impoverished family, fighting unit. A workaholic, after the war he (2017) 85 min. In French w/English subtitles. Iyengar suffered from tuberculosis, malaria, became part of the nation’s westward push, DVD: $398. Icarus Films. PPR. and malnutrition before his brother-in-law, a finding employment at a St. Louis paper. His Filmmakers Grace Winter and Luc Plan- yoga instructor, taught him the fundamentals reporter’s instinct led him to believe that tier’s fascinating documentary celebrates of the discipline, and throughout his subse- stories should be “short, smart, and snappy,” the work of a nearly-forgotten pioneer of quent life Iyengar would credit yoga for his although his quick temper and crusading visual anthropology. Between 1913 and physical and spiritual health. Iyengar includes spirit made him lots of enemies, so he turned 1937, Belgian nobleman Robert Frédéric, numerous expected scenes of Iyengar’s public his attention to the New York World, where he Marquis of Wavrin (1888-1971), traveled demonstrations of rigorous yoga exercises, could reach a national audience. Manhattan through the wilds of Paraguay, Ecuador, but there are also some surprises, such as was a hub of commerce and politics, with Brazil, and Venezuela, visiting remote areas 1950s TV footage of Iyengar with his friend, dozens of papers serving immigrant and eth- and filming indigenous peoples never before violinist Yehudi Menuhin, a relationship that nic enclaves. Pulitzer won fame for his cam- seen by Europeans—such as the Shuar tribe, proved to be pivotal to Iyengar’s exposure in paigns and crusades, notably championing a whose tsantza ritual of shrinking the heads Europe and the U.S. Scenes of a sometimes free-transit Brooklyn Bridge and sparking a of defeated enemies was shown in one of the stern, nonagenarian Iyengar with his students fundraising drive to build a pedestal for the feature films constructed from his footage are fascinating for the (literally) measurable Statue of Liberty. While Pulitzer himself led that caused a sensation back home between precision that he demanded in sessions. For an opulent lifestyle, his newspapers railed 1924-37. Not that the marquis had gone to anyone who has ever wondered how yoga against the “privileged” classes and excesses South America out of idealistic or scholarly came to be so popular in America, this film of the Gilded Age. Always looking to dig up motives: he was fleeing a prison sentence for serves up a portrait of the man who was re- stories, Pulitzer was accused of sensational- shooting two boys (seriously wounding one)

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 60 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 he found pilfering nuts from his estate, and the child of a Jewish family living in what is he spent his early days abroad hunting rather now an area of Poland is also explored, as is than exploring. But once he embraced the his time working in Berlin for Universal. The Series Update idea of documenting the lives and customs of story of how someone told Spiegel in 1933 to remote tribes, Frédéric proved indefatigable, walk to a train station and leave the country The following titles are new additions building a genuine rapport with people con- immediately is startling but understandable, to series previously recommended. Titles sidered to be dangerous savages by outsiders. given Hitler’s electoral success. Spiegel’s rise are available from most distributors un- Forced to remain in Belgium after World in Hollywood, his taste for strong stories less otherwise noted. War II, Frédéric gradually faded from view, and characters, and his working relation- and his copious footage was deposited at the ships with the likes of Orson Welles, Marlon Octonauts: Season Cinématheque Royale de Belgique, where Brando, and Joseph Losey, are the subjects of Three (290 min., DVD: Winter discovered and carefully restored it. irresistible commentary by actors (Ben Kings- 2 discs, $17.99) is the Combining an intriguing tale with a priceless ley, Janet Suzman) and various collaborators. latest compilation of record of tribes that no longer exist, this is Only glancingly noted is Spiegel’s reputation episodes from NCircle highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek) as a sexual predator of young women in the Entertainment’s com- industry, a pattern that seriously darkens puter-animated series The Peacemaker HHH what should have been a magnificent career. following the titular (2016) 88 min. DVD: $375. DRA. Grasshopper Recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh) underwater rescue team as they encoun- Film. PPR. ter creatures ranging from barracudas Filmmaker James Demo’s documentary Who is Arthur Chu? HHH and humpback whales to hammerhead centers on Padraig O’Malley, a native of Ire- (2017) 90 min. DVD: $24.95 ($300 w/PPR). sharks. See review of Octonauts: 15 Under- land who has spent more than 40 years as an Dadada Films (avail. from www.arthurchufilm. water Adventures in VL-11/16. amateur diplomat with no formal affiliation com). to a government and no official portfolio to Before the Jeopardy! stardom of James Newly available from Cinedigm is pursue in the interest of world peace. Even Holzhauer, one of the quiz show’s name-rec- Sesame Street: Dance Party! (132 min., so, he has made significant headway in ognition contestants was Ohio’s Arthur Chu, DVD: $14.99), featuring neighborhood bringing together enemies in Iraq, as well as whose aggressive style of gameplay caused friends Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Zoe, and in the former Yugoslavia and South Africa. him to be labeled a Jeopardy! villain, subject others as they gear up for a fun dance Weirdly, O’Malley began his mission by to online criticism that included insults party in this music-filled addition to buying a bar, The Plough and Stars, in Cam- about his Chinese heritage. In this PBS-aired the educational series that features guest bridge, MA, and then using profits to fund a Independent Lens documentary, Chu uses his stars Jason Derulo and Janelle Monáe. See sometimes-drunken yet successful summit newfound high-profile status and financial review of Sesame Street: Be a Good Sport of warring forces from Northern Ireland, windfall to be an activist standup comic/ in VL-5/14. getting all parties involved to mingle and lecturer/writer. Chu particularly targets communicate. The location of that gathering cyber-bullying in our digital era’s popular PBS Home Video has recently released was the bar itself, a site that looms large for culture, calling it a malignant outgrowth Wild Kratts: Creepy Creatures! (75 O’Malley, a recovering alcoholic. Viewers see of the “angry nerd” mindset, to which Chu, min., DVD: $6.99), the latest entry in him at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, who grew up a lonely first-born Asian-Amer- the educational PBS Kids series that finds sometimes speaking in blurry abstractions, ican in a high-achieving family, can relate. Kratt Brothers Martin and Chris taking and also meet a former longtime lover of Filmmakers Scott Drucker and Yu Gu follow part in zoological-themed adventures set his—now a friend who has accepted that for Chu on bi-coastal trips and interview Jeop- around Halloween. See review of Wild O’Malley the work of diplomacy comes first. ardy! host Alex Trebek. And in a rather meta Kratts: Creature Adventures in VL-7/11. In fact, O’Malley says at one point that he turn, Chu even finds employment with the doesn’t love anyone (he also has a grown fos- production outfit making this very docu- Universal’s most recent holi- ter daughter). An odd portrait of a conflicted mentary. But Chu’s self-serving routine also day-themed addition to the popular man struggling to assuage global conflict, this stresses his marriage to a college sweetheart. BBC animated series Peppa Pig is Peppa is recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh) In Jeopardy!-speak, the film might be accused Pig: Pumpkin Party (70 min., DVD: of “jumping all over the board,” dealing with $14.99), featuring the adorable young Sam Spiegel: Conquering Hollywood ethnicity, relationships, sexism, and racism, pig dressing as a witch for Halloween HHH but it does ultimately shine a light on celeb- while Miss Rabbit hopes to get Grandpa rity in the Facebook/Twitter age through the Pig’s huge pumpkin to a competition on (2019) 60 min. DVD: $99: public libraries; time. See review of Peppa Pig: My Birthday $295 w/PPR: colleges & universities. Seventh Art prism of one complicated guy’s attempt to Releasing. do something constructive with his flukey Party in VL-5/14. fame. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady) The African Queen. On the Waterfront. The New character Shir- Bridge on the River Kwai. Lawrence of Arabia. ley Shawn the Unicorn Betrayal. Those prestige films—some Oscar makes her debut in The winners—are part of the remarkable cine- Wiggles: Big Ballet matic legacy of the late, independent film Day! (71 min., DVD: producer Sam Spiegel (1901-1985). Filmmak- Visit Video Librarian Online (www. $14.99), the latest ad- ers Robert de Young and Stephen Wellink’s videolibrarian.com) for more reviews dition to Kino Lorber’s lively and entertaining documentary looks during September and October, includ- children’s entertain- at Spiegel’s amazing filmography, the means ing: 93Queen, Alan Jackson: Small Town ment series that fea- and methods by which he made top-notch Southern Man, Brave Girls, Charley Pride: tures the fun Wiggles crew teaming up movies in a radically changing Hollywood, I’m Just Me, A Concerned Citizen: Civics in with dancers of the Australian Ballet. and the great directors he managed to employ Action, Einstein’s Quantum Riddle, Freedom See review of The Wiggles: Go Santa Go! (David Lean, John Huston, Elia Kazan, etc.). Fighters, Good Luck Soup, and much more! in VL-11/17. Spiegel’s somewhat murky background as

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 61 VIDEO LIBRARIAN Japanese Anime Basilisk: The Ouka Ninja upperclassman, to the cheap adult humor as an original work from Scrolls, Part One HHH of Chio’s online handle that also doubles as prominent anime artists, (2018) 4 discs. 300 min. Blu- her gangster sobriquet: “Bloody Butterfly.” although despite all the ray: $64.99. Funimation (avail. The animation is not particularly notable, hype, viewers may find this from most distributors). but the voice actors ably bring the characters to be familiar mecha genre Based on Masaki Segawa’s to sharp, hilarious life. Compiling all 12 ep- stuff, albeit dressed up (or popular manga series, this isodes from 2018 in a dual-language Blu-ray undressed, as the case may is a sequel to the earlier edition, rated TV-14, this is recommended. be) in much adolescent erot- Basilisk: The Kouga Ninja Scrolls series, and (L. Martincik) ic innuendo. Far-future humanity—more while knowledge of the initial series is not accurately, post-humanity, given the num- mandatory, it does help lay the groundwork Dances with the ber of cyborgs—has retreated to a domed for subsequent character development and Dragons: The Complete underground “plantation” city, under siege story trajectory. Set in the year 1626, some by biomechanical monsters called klaxo- Series H1/2 saurs. The counter-response: raise children 10 years after the original series, Basilisk: The (2018) 2 discs. 300 min. Blu- Ouka Ninja Scrolls introduces a slew of male ray: $64.99. Funimation (avail. in couples (usually, but not always, boy-girl) and female ninjas who display supernatural from most distributors). to pilot “Franxx” armored fighting suits that would look right at home in a Cirque du Soleil powers that range from the curious (one Not to be confused with production. The pubescent juveniles—nick- has the ability to control centipedes) to the the similarly-titled fifth named “parasites”—are lab-reared without downright bizarre (another can remove his book in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and basic knowledge of sex and biology; yet eyes and send them into the field for obser- Fire, this sci-fi action anime inspired by Labo while operating a Franxx, they assume very vation). The story centers on the continuation Asai’s long-running light novel-manga series suggestive body positions. Young Hiro, who is of two regal bloodlines: the Iga, whose glory is set in an alternate world divided between downcast over fear that he’s failed his squad, is carried on by female warrior Hibiki Iga, the Dragon Empire, where magic-wielding finds himself paired with an enticing, brash, and the Kouga, with male inheritor Hachiro creatures dwell, and a human realm consist- super-powered girl called Zero Two, who has Kouga taking the helm. But the show’s energy ing of a seven-city alliance torn by political klaxosaur DNA (and horns) and a predatory derives from the odd mix of X-Men-style bat- intrigue. To confront the dragon danger, reputation for eventually killing her partners. tle powers transplanted into a highly unlikely mankind depends on master swordsmen The will-she-or-won’t-she element (applicable 17th-century Japanese setting. Also playing who employ a technique called jushiiki, to both sex and death) provides the dynamic into the tale is something called Destiny’s which enables them to use magic in combat. storyline with gravitas, which it begins losing Passage, a mirror that wreaks havoc on any- The focus is on two jushikiists, Gayus and over time as the vibe see-saws uncomfortably one who looks into it. While the series is not Gigina, whose dissimilar personalities and between the comedic and the dystopic. Pre- perfectly logical, it does compensate with techniques—the former being a cautious senting the first 12 episodes from 2018 in a stylish violence and exhilarating surrealism. intellectual, while the latter is an arrogant dual-language Blu-ray/DVD Combo set, rated Presenting the first 12 episodes from 2018 risk-taker—make for an unlikely partnership. TV-MA, extras include audio and video epi- in a dual-language Blu-ray/DVD Combo As the pair assail one another with streams sode commentaries and a behind-the-scenes set, rated TV-MA, extras include an episode of caustic banter—intended to be humorous featurette. A strong optional purchase. [Note: commentary. Recommended. [Note: Basilisk: but failing miserably—they also face off The Ouka Ninja Scrolls, Part Two is also newly against dangers from the Empire while get- Darling in the Franxx: Part Two is also newly available.] (P. Hall) ting caught up in the convoluted schemes of available.] (C. Cassady) their own leaders. The plotline is as fractured Chio’s School Road: The as their world: one thread involves a serial Death March to the Complete Series HHH killer targeting jushikiists, who turns out to Parallel World Rhapsody (2018) 2 discs. 300 min. Blu- be the vengeance-seeking wife of a dragon HH1/2 ray: $64.99. Funimation (avail. that the heroes killed. Another centers on (2018) 4 discs. 300 min. Blu- from most distributors). a cunning politician who enlists them in ray/DVD Combo: $84.98. Chio is a normal, nerdy his supposed peace-keeping efforts. But the Funimation (avail. from most student who is below-av- various elements are never brought together distributors). erage in her high school in a coherent whole and too much remains Based on a novel series, classes and given to late nights playing ill-defined, including the nature of the alli- this moderately diverting gamer-inspired American video games online. She walks to ance and the specifics of jushiiki. And despite adventure centers on a monkish comput- school each day with her best friend Manana, efforts to humanize the protagonists (such er-games programmer/moderator, 29-year-old usually arriving on time despite a ridiculous as Gayus’s relationship with his girlfriend Ichirou—nicknamed “Satou”—who works variety of encounters along the way. And that or Gigina’s love of high-end furniture), the long hours in the office one weekend. Subse- is the entire world of Chio’s School Road, which pair never become really fleshed-out (or even quently, while asleep, he finds himself a teen- indeed never steps inside the school and uses likable) characters. Dances with the Dragons ager again, exploring (with aid from floating every opportunity to lovingly satirize its boasts some eye-catching battle sequenc- pop-up menus and list graphics) a magical own characters. Chio puts her video gaming es, but the animation is mostly mediocre. realm that is a pastiche of fantasy-game cli- fantasy life to good use, whether taking to Compiling all 12 episodes from 2018 in a chés—a land of medieval-style settlements, the rooftops to avoid a roadblock or facing dual-language Blu-ray edition, rated TV-MA, wizards, animal-people, elves, and warnings down a gangster with false bravado after this is not recommended. (F. Swietek) about the return of a once-defeated “demon knocking over his bike. Her friendship with lord.” Blending into society as a merchant, Manana is a highlight, sincere but fractious, Darling in the Franxx: Part One HH1/2 Satou “levels up” with skills and weapons and and incredibly real despite their outrageous (2018) 4 discs. 300 min. Blu-ray/DVD emerges victorious in adventures that also situations. Based on manga by Tadataka Combo: $64.99. Funimation (avail. from most result in a growing harem of nubile female Kawasaki, the series features some juvenile distributors). questing companions. It turns out that this is sexual content, from the plethora of upskirt Darling in the Franxx premiered in Japan not an otaku dream or virtual reality but rath- shots, to a well-endowed grope-y lesbian simultaneously on TV and streaming services er some kind of afterlife (gamer heaven?), and

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 62 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 Satou is not the only person with keyboard/ map that stretched across the bodies of 24 popular contemporary prac- controller mojo involved, although much escaped prisoners. When Goto is killed by titioners of J-horror, but this remains unresolved by the finale. Presenting a bear, Saichi discovers one of the maps on anime anthology featuring all 12 episodes from 2018 in a dual-language Goto’s body. Saichi then meets a young Ainu adaptations of 24 of his Blu-ray/DVD Combo set, rated TV-14, extras girl named Asirpa, who confirms the tale and stories will likely disappoint include an episode commentary. A strong reveals that her father was among those slain both fans and newcomers. optional purchase. (C. Cassady) for their gold. Saichi and Asirpa, joined by a On the printed page, Ito’s rare Hokkaido wolf named Retar, search out sinister images can have a Dies Irae: The Complete the escaped prisoners with the map tattoos on deliciously creepy effect, but while a few of an adventure that is full of peril and danger. the tales included in this series (“Slug Girl” Series HH1/2 (2017) 2 discs. 468 min. Blu- Golden Kamuy has everything working in its and “Shiver,” for example) remain genuinely ray: $69.99. Funimation (avail. favor: a superior storyline, excellent anima- unsettling, most have lost a good deal of their from most distributors). tion, fully textured characters, and a genuine impact in mediocre animated form, partially A Japanese narra- sense of historical perspective mixed with due to visual repetition but also because the tive-based video game in- a respectful consideration of Ainu culture. narratives—which usually involve a super- spired this horror-fantasy Presenting all 12 episodes from the 2018 natural power unleashed against a terrified anime series that begs for the adjective “Wag- debut season in a dual-language Blu-ray/DVD protagonist—are one-note affairs, featuring nerian”—assuming that Richard Wagner’s Combo set, rated TV-MA, extras include 12 an abundance of sequences in which victims operas trafficked in huge-breasted women, bonus animated shorts. Highly recommend- are pursued endlessly through forest and harem-comedy sex misunderstandings, and ed. [Note: Golden Kamuy, Season Two is slated streets by various evil entities. The majority incomprehensible violent plotlines (which, for release on Oct. 15.] (P. Hall) of the tales are standalone entries, although actually, they sort of do). Here, Hitler’s Third two focus on a strange student named Souichi Reich secretly hosts legions of the “Obsidian Haruchika—Haruta & who uses punishing magic to address grudges Round Table,” a horde of dark wizards and Chika: The Complete held against classmates, and one features an evildoers with various agendas. Their ritually HHH appearance by Ito’s most famous character— Series Tomie, a manipulative girl who feeds on oth- murderous rampages in modern Japan draw (2016) 2 discs. 300 min. In in Ren, an orphan teen (created as a test-tube Japanese w/English subtitles. ers to maintain her immortality. Although homunculus) who is both unaware that his Blu-ray: $29.99. Funimation the Junji Ito Collection can be applauded for best pal is a monster-fighter and that Ren him- (avail. from most distributors). bringing the work of a well-regarded mangaka self is fated to inherit great power. The fiends Based on a novel series, this teen-class- to a wide audience in a new form, its execu- continue their timeless Nazi carnage while room drama would appear on the surface tion leaves much to be desired. Presenting also training Ren to be their greatest enemy to be largely music-oriented but is actually all 12 episodes from 2018 in a dual-language so that he can kill them, thus breaking an comprised of a set of modest-scale myster- Blu-ray edition, rated TV-MA, extras include endless circle of destructive existence. Gore, ies. Athletic co-ed Chika changes her goals two OVAs. Optional. (F. Swietek) puzzling resurrections and transformations, when she sees an orchestra performing and and the mythology of Wagner’s Ring cycle decides that she would rather be a “cute Kakuriyo—Bed & are often visually striking here but just as girl” flute player (despite having no musical Breakfast for Spirits, often embrace the anime-kitsch aesthetic of background) than a volleyball champ. For- Part One: Episodes 1-13 courageous boy warriors and nubile maidens tunately, the underpopulated student band HH battling alongside. Overall, this is a bewil- society needs members, so they accept her. 1/2 (2018) 2 discs. 325 min. Blu- dering, tantalizing, and possibly even offen- Chika bonds in odd-couple fashion with the ray: $64.99. Funimation (avail. sive series, the latter due to much SS-type gay French horn player leading the group, from most distributors). regalia (and cleavage) along with profanity. Haruta. Both of them have a crush on music Romantic and supernatural elements com- Presenting all 12 episodes from 2017 and teacher Mr. Kusakabe—who mysteriously bine in this anime series based on the light six additional ONA (original net animation) abandoned a successful conducting career novel-manga series by Midori Yuma. Aoi in- episodes from 2018 in a dual-language Blu-ray for this obscure post—and want to turn the herited her late grandfather’s ability to see the edition, rated TV-MA, this is a strong optional club into a first-class competitive ensemble supernatural spirits—or ayakashi—who visit purchase. (C. Cassady) to honor him. The process of recruiting new the human realm. After assisting one who instrumentalists and securing practice space wears a distinctive mask, Aoi is kidnapped Golden Kamuy, Season invariably plunges Haruta, Chika, and their and taken to the ayakashi world, where hand- One HHH1/2 bandmates into solving enigmas, dilemmas, some innkeeper ogre Odanna tells her that (2018) 4 discs. 300 min. Blu- and scandals involving their schoolmates’ her grandfather offered her as a wife to him ray: $84.99. Funimation (avail. cloistered personal lives—puzzles that are in payment of a debt. She refuses to marry from most distributors). unlocked by Haruta thanks to his Sherlockian Odanna, preferring to work off the debt, and This anime series based sleuthing talents and encyclopedic knowl- eventually opens a successful restaurant. Aoi on Satoru Noda’s acclaimed edge. Haruchika is a cleverly written offbeat encounters spirits—like shape-shifter Ginji— manga serves up an inter- series that spawned a live-action adaptation who become her allies, as well as others who esting plot that mixes Japanese history with in 2017. Presenting all 12 episodes from 2016 see her as a dangerous interloper, while also old-fashioned adventure. Saichi Sugimoto in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo set, in Japanese constantly trying to determine who might be is a veteran of the Russo-Japanese War who with English subtitles, rated TV-14, this is the masked figure she originally met.Kakuriyo has taken up gold prospecting in order to recommended. (C. Cassady) boasts a few moments of suspense, but the provide for the widow of a fallen comrade. A series is mostly a fairly lighthearted portrait, drunken friend named Goto tells him a story Junji Ito Collection: The Complete Series with such a heavy emphasis on Aoi’s kitchen about a man who killed a group of Ainu—an HH prowess it could sometimes be mistaken for indigenous people of Japanese and Russian (2018) 2 discs. 300 min. Blu-ray: $64.99. a cooking show. Although the animation is heritage—and stole their gold. The killer hid Funimation (avail. from most distributors). routine, the show benefits from an engaging the treasure and tattooed its location on a Manga artist Junji Ito is one of the most premise and a parade of peculiar characters.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 63 VIDEO LIBRARIAN Presenting the first 13 episodes from the 2018 him to maintain contact with Mitsuki, the Okko’s Inn HHH first season in a dual-language Blu-ray edition, girl he left behind, and gives him access to (2018) 95 min. DVD: $16.99, rated TV-14, this is a strong optional purchase. the Internet. Drawing on both his schoolboy Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $26.99. [Note: Kakuriyo—Bed & Breakfast for Spirits, knowledge and online information about Shout! Factory (avail. from Part Two: Episodes 14-26 is slated for release military tactics, Yuuto becomes the highly most distributors). SDH on Sept. 3.] (F. Swietek) respected leader of the Wolf Clan, whose captioned. forces he reorganizes and leads to victory over In this lively anime fea- Maria the Virgin Witch numerous rivals. Yuuto has also become the ture film, an orphaned girl HH darling of the clan’s Einherjar—girl warriors finds purpose when she 1/2 goes to live with her grandmother, the aging (2015) 2 discs. 300 min. Blu- with mystical powers—who vie with one ray: $29.99. Funimation (avail. another for his attention and affection. The innkeeper of a small spa in a country vacation from most distributors). Master of Ragnarok begins in medias res with town known for the healing waters of its natu- Maria is a witch living Yuuto already established in his leadership ral springs. Okko, an urban girl who loses her during the Hundred Years role, and only gradually reveals how he came parents in a devastating car wreck, struggles War. Despising battle and embracing the to Yggdrasil and advanced. But throughout with her grief and resists her new living situ- beauty of life, she sends her succubus familiar he remains a bland character, surrounded by ation, but she finds unexpected help from a to pacify soldiers in their tents and conjures equally uninteresting girls and dull enemies pair of child ghosts: Uribo, a playful boy who mythological creatures on the battlefield to battling in unimpressive action sequences. In watches over Okko’s grandmother, and Aki- disrupt the fighting—actions that mystify her the end, the dilemma that confronts Yuuto is no, the sister of Okko’s rival at school. Adapt- fellow witches and enrage the mercenaries whether to return permanently to the “real” ed from a series of children’s novels, Okko’s who depend on war for their living, as well world where his beloved Mitsuki awaits, or Inn is a simple story that deals with painful as the English and especially the French who stay with his adoring harem, but the solution emotions—loss, grief, anxiety—in ways that argue that a swift and decisive victory would is a cop-out, allowing him to have his cake mix seriousness and playfulness. As the junior actually save lives. Most importantly, Maria and eat it too. Presenting all 12 episodes from innkeeper, Okko finds both satisfaction and draws the attention of the Archangel Michael, 2018 in a dual-language Blu-ray edition, rated purpose in assisting patrons who come to the inn. Along the way, she learns important who rebukes her for interfering in earthly TV-14, extras include a promo video. Not a life lessons in humility and compassion and affairs and declares—weirdly—that should necessary purchase. (F. Swietek) she lose her virginity she will also lose her gathers the strength to heal and stand on her own. While that might sound heavy, director magical powers (he also threatens her life). Modest Heroes HHH1/2 The biggest clash in Maria the Virgin Witch Kitaro Kosaka brings a colorful cast of sup- (2018) 54 min. Blu-ray/DVD porting characters to Okko’s odyssey and a is not on the battlefield but rather with the Combo: $24.99. Shout! Factory series’ tone as it veers into clumsy sex farce. (avail. from most distributors). fleet pace to the storytelling, dropping in bits And the homophobic jokes don’t belong SDH captioned. of slapstick as well as moments of insight, joy, in a show that examines the philosophical Created by Japan’s four- and triumph. Presented in a dual-language importance of personal and sexual freedoms. year-old Studio Ponoc—a edition in separate DVD and Blu-ray/DVD Maria’s virginity is generally treated as a topic natural successor to the Combo releases, rated PG, extras include of amusement, but prompts a sexual assault legendary Studio Ghibli—this anthology of interviews with the director and the Japanese in an attempt to de-power her. All of which is three strikingly original anime tales, each voice actor playing Okko, and a Q&A at the very disappointing, because Maria does take unique in visual style and narrative tone, film’s premiere. Recommended. S.( Axmaker) the time to build nuanced characters, from is the product of former Ghibli (and other) Maria herself, to the religious leaders she talent looking for a new anime frontier. In Teasing Master Takagi- clashes with, to the mercenary camp woman the first, stunningly gorgeous work, a pair San: The Complete scavenging the battlefields. And the historical of amphibious siblings living in a stream HHH setting and costumes are outstanding, aside become separated from their Neptune-like Series from the skimpy, modern-ish clothes of the (2018) 2 discs. 300 min. Blu- father while their nurturing mother is deliv- ray: $64.99. Funimation (avail. witches and familiars (that handily serves to ering babies. The kids gather their courage from most distributors). make them seem otherworldly). Ultimately, to survive the predators above and below In this small-scale class- like Maria herself, this series is alternately the water’s surface in order to save dad. The appealing and repellent. Presenting all 12 room comedy inspired by Japanese comics, second story is about a young boy with a Takagi is a self-assured, winsome schoolgirl episodes from 2015 in a dual-language Blu-ray deadly allergy to eggs and egg by-products. edition, rated TV-MA, extras include audio who constantly springs little tricks and mind- The vigilance his mother maintains some- games upon classmate Nishikata (barely relat- commentaries. A strong optional purchase. times reminds him that he is set apart from (L. Martincik) ed plot tangents involve a few other female other children, and is always vulnerable. students), who in turn fantasizes almost The final short is also about an outsider—a obsessively about playing his own pranks The Master of Ragnarok literally invisible man who goes completely on Takagi to get revenge. But Nishikata al- & Blesser of Einherjar: unnoticed in all of his endeavors. His lack ways fails—Wile E. Coyote style—due to his The Complete Series of mass means that he can float into the own self-consciousness and lack of guile. Of HH stratosphere helplessly, and can’t even buy course, the irony is that despite his being a (2018) 2 discs. 300 min. Blu- bread at a grocery store, leading to isola- secret follower of a shojo manga and anime ray: $64.99. Funimation (avail. tion and a lack of purpose that ultimately series about “unrequited love,” Nishikata from most distributors). becomes a source of misery in search of a seems incapable of realizing that Takagi has a High school student Yuuto Suou is mag- miracle. Presented in a dual-language Blu- crush on him, or that her continual teasing is ically transported to Yggdrasil—a fantasy ray/DVD Combo edition, rated PG, extras fond flirtation. How their relationship evolves world suffused with elements of Norse my- include a featurette on Studio Ponoc, a drives this cute series that features gentle hu- thology—where kingdoms engage in war for film completion press conference, Japanese mor. Presenting all 12 episodes from 2018 in territorial dominance. Fortunately, Yuuto cast interviews, and an art gallery. Highly a dual-language Blu-ray edition, rated TV-14, brought along his smartphone, which allows recommended. (T. Keogh) this is recommended. (C. Cassady)

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 64 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 Music Dance

Attila HHH1/2 St. Petersburg revival. Such reverence would strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek) (2016) 116 min. In Italian w/ hardly matter, however, if the performance English subtitles. DVD: $31.99, lacked the necessary effervescence. Happily, Die Schöpfung HH1/2 Blu-ray: $41.99. C Major (dist. conductor Pavel Sorokin conducts a sparkling (2017) 138 min. In German w/ by Naxos of America). reading of Delibes’s delightful score, and the English subtitles. DVD or Blu- Giuseppe Verdi’s 1846 op- dancing is superb. Margarita Shrayner is a ray: $24.99. Naxos (avail. from era plays fast and loose with spunky, strong-willed Swanilda, and Artem most distributors). the facts about the untimely Ovcharenko a droll and dopey Frantz, and Any production from the death of the infamous titular 5th-century even though Alexey Loparevich is a less Catalan theatre company La Hunnish chieftain, whose march on Rome sinister Coppélius than some, he catches the Fura dels Baus is sure to be was halted by the intervention of Pope Leo character’s desperation nicely. The mounting an eye-popping affair, and I. Following the lead of an 1809 tragedy by is bright and colorful, with lovely costumes that is certainly the case with Carlus Padris- Zacharias Werner, librettist Temistocle Sol- by Tatiana Noginova and sumptuous sets sa’s staging of Franz Joseph Haydn’s 1798 era attributes the warlord’s sudden demise by Boris Kaminsky, including a roomful of oratorio, based on the creation narrative in to assassination at the hands of Odabella, highly animated automata in Coppélius’s Genesis. Musically, it is a joyous work, mov- Attila’s intended Italian bride, whose father, study. While there are other good versions of ing from an orchestral opening depicting the lord of Aquileia, he had killed. Others Coppélia available, this one is among the best. chaos up through the biblical seven days of involved in the Machiavellian goings-on Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM stereo God’s work, capped by a lovely duet for Adam include Odabella’s lover Foresto, an Aquile- on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and PCM stereo on and Eve, and a resounding final choral cel- ian knight who also wants to kill Attila and Blu-ray, this is highly recommended. Editor’s ebration. Filmed at France’s Auditorium, La temporarily doubts Odabella’s loyalty to the Choice. (F. Swietek) Seine Musicale, Île Seguin, in May 2017, the cause, and Ezio, a Roman knight who joins musical side of this production is quite good: the conspiracy. This 2016 production from Der Freischütz HH1/2 the original-instrument band Insula and the the Teatro Comunale di Bologna is musically (2017) 135 min. In German w/ Accentus choir acquit themselves ably under the equal of an earlier one from Parma (VL- English subtitles. DVD or Blu- Laurence Equilbey’s baton, while the vocal- 3/13), boasting a vigorous account of the score ray: $24.99. Naxos (avail. from ism by soprano Mari Eriksmoen (doubling by the company orchestra and chorus under most distributors). as the angel Gabriel and Eve), tenor Martin Michele Mariotti and powerful singing from Carl Maria von Weber’s Mitterrutzner (Uriel), and baritone Daniel bass-baritone Ildebrando D’Arcangelo (Attila), 1821 opera was hugely in- Schmutzhard (Raphael/Adam) is fine. But the soprano Maria José Siri (Odabella), tenor fluential, inaugurating the gargantuan staging too often overwhelms Fabio Sartori (Foresto), and baritone Simone German romanticism that the score, with cranes that hoist the soloists Piazzola (Ezio), although D’Arcangelo’s voice later flourished in Wagner and Richard (outfitted in elaborate costumes) high into occasionally sounds a bit light for the role. As Strauss, but today it is rarely performed the air, ultra-bright lights, flamboyant video with the Parma production, the physical side outside German-speaking countries, making projections (often featuring banal aphorisms of the staging is small-scaled, with spare sets Matthias Hartmann’s 2017 production at or footage of oversized animals and insects), and rather bland costumes, while Daniele Ab- Milan’s La Scala a notable event. Musically, an aquarium in which the singers are pe- bado’s direction is thoroughly conventional. the result is a mixed bag: the orchestra plays riodically dunked, and scads of luminous But on the whole, this performance does a splendidly for Myung-whun Chung, but his helium balloons. And a narrative thread fine job of conveying the young composer’s emphasis is on tonal loveliness over sheer involving refugees, in which the choristers style as it was developing during the 1840s. energy, and while soprano Julia Kleiter sings hold modern tablets, only adds to the sense Presented in DTS 5.0 (DTS-HD 5.0 on the beautifully as Agathe, the forester’s daughter of overkill. Presented in DTS 5.1 (DTS-HD Blu-ray release) and PCM stereo, this is highly whose hand many seek, her demeanor is 5.1 on the Blu-ray edition) and PCM stereo, recommended. (F. Swietek) rather static. As Max—the titular marksman extras include a “making-of” featurette. A seduced into making a pact with the devil strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek) Coppélia HHHH to ensure that he will win the shooting (2018) 100 min. DVD: $24.99, contest that will decide the groom—burly Fatima, or The Brave Michael König sounds vocally frayed at the Blu-ray: $29.99. Bel Air Children HHH1/2 Classiques (dist. by Naxos of start, although he improves as the evening America). (2015) 63 min. In German w/ progresses. Both are outclassed by bass Gün- English subtitles. DVD: $29.99. Moscow’s Bolshoi Bal- ther Groissböck as Max’s rival, the villainous Belvedere (dist. by Naxos of let outdoes itself with this Kaspar, whose forging of the magic bullets in America). absolutely charming 2018 the famous Wolf’s Glen scene is a highlight, One of the most charm- performance of Léo Delibes’s 1870 ballet, even if the presence of prancing devils here ing contemporary operas based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffmann about and elsewhere feels faintly ridiculous. And to come out of Europe is Johanna Doderer’s Swanilda, a village girl who rescues her that is but one oddity of Hartmann’s staging, 2015 fantasy-adventure created for the Vi- fiancé Frantz when he becomes besotted which mixes traditional costumes (including enna State Opera. Although conceived as a with Coppélia, the beautiful life-sized doll an absurdly oversized bow in the hair of children’s opera and comparatively short, that Dr. Coppélius has created and hopes to Agathe’s cousin Ännchen, sung well by Eva this inventive creation will also be enjoyed bring to life by infusing it with the poor lad’s Liebau) with neon tubes for the outlines of by adults. Siblings Hassan and Fatima are spirit. To foil the inventor’s plan, Swanilda buildings. Finally, there is a curious change dealing with an acute food shortage and an dresses up as Coppélia and fools Coppélius of ending, in which Max and Agathe scam- ailing mother. Hassan learns of a castle that into thinking that he has succeeded, and per off together although the holy hermit has is hiring children for manual labor, but the after escaping, she and Frantz are happily imposed a year’s penance on Max for con- overbearing lord has a peculiar employment wed. This production uses the full three-act sorting with the Evil One. Presented in DTS contract: he will pay one gold coin per week score of the 1870 Paris premiere, with Sergey 5.1 (DTS-HD 5.1 on the Blu-ray release) and for wages, but will take away the money and Vikharev’s choreography based on Marius PCM stereo, this is an uneven production, steal the dreams of the juvenile workers if Petipa and Enrico Cecchetti’s for the 1894 albeit one with as many virtues as defects. A they get angry. Hassan’s cheery optimism is

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 65 VIDEO LIBRARIAN no match for the noble’s deviousness, and Il Castello di Kenilworth inspect the painting again, the maiden’s it is up to plucky sister Fatima to teach the HHH hairstyle now indicates that she is married. man a long-overdue lesson and liberate the (2018) 139 min. In Italian w/ Preljocaj presents this rather simple tale in an children’s dreams that are kept locked in English subtitles. DVD: $29.99, elegant succession of ensembles and solos, in dungeon cages. While casting adult per- Blu-ray: $39.99. Dynamic (dist. which Mirea Delogu dances with finesse as the formers Carlos Osuna and Andrea Carroll by Naxos of America). young woman, Victor Martinez Caliz makes a as the young siblings might initially seem The first of Gaetano pleasing partner for her as Chu, and the rest disconcerting—especially when they are Donizetti’s quartet of operas of the company offers fine support. Although surrounded by child performers—each about Tudor England was a failure at its 1829 Preljocaj is a modern dance specialist (and beautifully exhibits the complex reac- premiere, and while the later three (Anna Nicolas Godin’s score is—with the exception tions of youngsters who find themselves Bolena, Maria Stuarda, and Roberto Devereux) of an interlude of synthesized Bach—decided- challenged by extraordinary physical and have retained a place in the international ly contemporary), his work here also exhibits emotional circumstances. Sorin Coliban’s repertory, Il Castello di Kenilworth has largely some classical stylistic elements. Constance castle lord is the ideal villain one loves to faded from view. This rare 2018 revival at the Guisset’s sets are relatively spare, but her vid- hate, luxuriating in his wickedness with Donizetti Festival in Bergamo (the compos- eo projections are remarkably effective, and gusto. Jan Meier’s costumes and set design er’s birthplace) shows it to be a mature work Azzedine Alaïa contributes striking costumes effectively create extremes in rapture and (though only in his early 30s, Donizetti had and masks. Extras include a behind-the-scenes terror with minimalist flair. And Doderer’s already written more than 20 operas) that featurette. Presented in PCM stereo, this is music, which is innovative and rather ma- is well worth discovering. This production recommended. (F. Swietek) ture for a children’s opera, is ably played by follows the original score, rather than the the orchestra under the baton of Benjamin composer’s 1836 revision, although it does Le Corsaire HHH1/2 Bayl. Presented in stereo, this is highly not use the 1829 title—Elisabetta al castello di (2016) 120 min. DVD or Blu- recommended. (P. Hall) Kenilworth, which points to the centrality of ray: $24.99. Naxos (avail. from Queen Elizabeth I, who also appears in Maria most distributors). Giulietta e Romeo and Roberto. Here, Elizabeth visits the castle Adolphe Adam’s 1856 HHH1/2 of her favorite Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, final ballet may be today (2018) 161 min. In Italian who has secretly wed Amelia Robsart. Dudley eclipsed in popularity by w/English subtitles. DVD: 2 enlists his stable master Warney, who also his earlier Giselle, but it was discs, $34.99; Blu-ray: $39.99. loves Amelia, to hide his wife while the queen a huge success in its time, and recently has Dynamic (dist. by Naxos of is present, but Warney attempts to abduct her, enjoyed a renaissance, with this 2016 Wie- America). and she escapes and encounters Elisabeth, ner Staatsballett production joining recent Nicola Vaccaj (1790-1848) who is furious with Leicester before ulti- mountings from Toulouse (VL-5/14) and was a second-tier composer of the bel can- mately forgiving the couple and punishing the English National Ballet (VL-7/15). The to era whose name and works are almost Warney. This is a powerful production, with libretto remains quite silly, centering on a completely forgotten today. This rare 2018 soprano Jessica Pratt a commanding Eliza- pirate named Conrad who is determined to production of his most successful opera— beth, and Xabier Anduaga (Dudley), Carmela rescue Médora, a noblewoman who has been an 1825 version of the familiar tragedy of Remigio (Amelia), and Stefan Pop (Warney) abducted and placed in a pasha’s harem. Romeo and Juliet—shows that while not the providing strong support, while Riccardo And even Luisa Spinatelli’s opulent sets here equal of his dominant contemporary Rossini Frizza leads the chorus and the Donizetti cannot do complete justice to the final ship- (whose style he obviously emulated), or of Opera Orchestra in a vividly dramatic reading wreck sequence that so thrilled the premiere Donizetti or Bellini, Vaccaj was still a skilled of the score. The only drawback is Angelo audience. But Manuel Legris (using a score craftsman whose music is highly effective Sala’s bland set, although Ursula Patzak’s ex- augmented with music by Delibes and Pugni without being particularly distinctive. In this cellent costumes offer visual compensation. among others and choreographic hints from mounting from the Festival della Valle d’Itria Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM stereo Petipa and his successors) stages the piece in Martina Franca, Cecilia Ligorio’s staging on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and PCM stereo brilliantly, and the dancers not only exhibit makes a compelling case for the work. Sesto on Blu-ray, this is recommended. (F. Swietek) élan in their solos, duets, and ensembles, Quatrini draws rich, expressive playing from but also skill in the pantomime that was an the Orchestra Accademia of the Teatro alla La Fresque HHH essential part of French ballet in the mid- Scala, and the singing of Leonor Bonilla and (2017) 71 min. DVD or Blu- 19th century. Robert Gabdullin is an athletic Raffaela Lupinacci, as Giulietta and Romeo, ray: $24.99. Naxos (avail. from Conrad and Maria Yakovleva an elegant, if is outstanding (with minor exceptions, the most distributors). rather cool, Médora, and both are admirably vocalism of the secondary soloists is also French choreographer supported, especially by Davide Dato, as the strong). Alessia Colosso’s imposingly tall set Angelin Preljocaj’s 2016 bal- disloyal Birbanto, and Kirill Kourlaev as the serves as both the balcony of Juliet’s room let La Fresque (The Painting villainous bazaar operator Lanquedem. And in the first act and a burial ground in the on the Wall) is based on an the Wiener Staatsoper delivers fine orchestral second, while Luciano Novelli’s lighting 18th-century Chinese fable playing under the baton of Valery Ovsianikov. design is properly moody, and Giuseppe in which two travelers named Chu and Meng Presented in DTS 5.0 (DTS-HD 5.0 on the Blu- Palella’s striking black-and-white costumes take refuge from a storm in a temple, where an ray edition) and PCM stereo, this is highly clearly distinguish between Capuleti and aged monk shows them a fresco that depicts a recommended. (F. Swietek) Montecchi. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 group of beautiful girls in a pine grove. Chu and PCM stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 is immediately smitten with one of the maid- Nino Rota: La notte di un nevrastenico / and PCM stereo on Blu-ray, extras include a ens, and magically enters the picture, where I due timidi HHH brief interview with Ligorio. A fine staging of he weds her and spends several rapturous (2017) 105 min. In Italian w/English subtitles. an unjustly neglected opera from the period years before being ejected by warriors. Chu DVD: $29.99; Blu-ray: $39.99. Dynamic (dist. by of “beautiful singing,” this is highly recom- suddenly finds himself back in the temple, Naxos of America). mended for those willing to venture beyond where Meng tells him that he went missing Nino Rota (1911-1979) was famous as a the standard repertory. (F. Swietek) for only a few minutes, but when the pair composer of film scores (including several Fel-

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 66 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 lini classics and The Godfa- than compensates and the sheer spectacle of great Bobby Keys on sax, Blondie Chaplin on ther), but this double-bill of the ark’s massive interior with its zoological percussion, and Lisa Fischer on backup vocals. two one-act operas demon- occupants is a truly stunning feat of engineer- The setlist features plenty of hits, kicking off strates that his skill extend- ing in contemporary theater. Presented in 5.1 with the group’s signature “(I Can’t Get No) ed beyond the screen. Both surround sound, extras include featurettes on Satisfaction” and also including “Jumpin’ are set at hotels and employ Sight & Sound’s history and the development Jack Flash,” “Honky Tonk Women,” “Paint It romantic melodies in the of Noah. Recommended. (P. Hall) Black,” “Miss You” (with Jagger, ahem, lick- style of Puccini to tell very ing Fischer’s toes), “Start Me Up,” “Tumbling odd stories with a farcical tone that often Pretenders with Friends Dice,” “Gimme Shelter,” “Sympathy for the seems out of sync with the music. I due timidi HH Devil,” and “Brown Sugar.” This is classic (1950) centers on a young man and woman (2017) 66 min. Blu-ray/DVD Stones, with the band totally in their element who are both so shy that they cannot reveal Combo: $29.99 (audio CD cranking out beloved tunes and introducing their love for one another. An accident leads included). MVD Entertainment the now de riguer B-stage breakout mini-set. to both winding up with other partners—he Group (avail. from most Presented in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and with the mature lady who runs the hotel, distributors). stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and LPCM she with a doctor called in to treat her. The Filmed at the Decades Rock Arena in At- stereo on Blu-ray, extras include four bonus second, La notte di un nevrastenico (1959) is lantic City’s Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, this tracks from a Chicago performance and two about an insomniac who is so desperate for 2017 concert features original Pretenders audio CDs capturing the entire concert. Rec- quiet that he pays for three rooms—his own members Chrissie Hynde, the former rock ommended. (R. Pitman) and adjacent ones on either side. Trying to critic turned sultry rock singer/guitarist, and make some extra cash, the manager rents Martin Chambers (guitar), along with a small Swan Lake HHH1/2 out the other rooms a second time—one to a backup band and guest artists. Weighing in (2018) 138 min. DVD: $29.99, soldier who drops his shoe on the floor while at a little over an hour, the emphasis here is Blu-ray: $39.99. Opus Arte undressing, and the other to a couple who on the “friends” of the title, with the pop/ (dist. by Naxos of America). make love very loudly. Naturally, the noise rock/New Wave Pretenders only soloing six Choreographer Liam wakes the sleeping man, who is infuriated of the 12 Pretenders songs (out of 16 tunes Scarlett’s 2018 staging of at the disturbance and makes his anger clear total), including the hits “Back on the Chain Tchaikovsky’s ever-popu- to everyone. The performances, filmed at Gang,” “Precious,” “Mystery Achievement,” lar classic—the first new Italy’s 2017 Reate Festival, are decent rath- and “Brass in Pocket.” Is it worth it to miss mounting by The Royal Ballet in more than er than exceptional, but Gabriele Bonolis “Time the Avenger,” “My City Was Gone,” 30 years—presents an almost perfect version coaxes solid playing from the orchestra, and and “Night in My Veins” in order to hear “The of the dark fairy tale, reworking many of the the singers handle Rota’s often demanding Bucket” (Kings of Leon), “Drive” (Incubus), numbers while adding a few uncontroversial vocal lines quite comfortably. Also featuring and “Candy” (Iggy Pop)? In a word, no; in wrinkles (a prologue showing the evil Von pleasing sets and costumes, this is a minor fact, the only joint effort that stands out here Rothbart changing Odette into a swan, more but amiable production that would appeal is Hynde and Shirley Manson (of Garbage) dance for the prince’s friend Benno, and a to anyone wanting to explore the byways singing “Talk of the Town” and “Only Happy new pas de deux for Odette and Prince Sieg- of 20th-century Italian opera. Presented in When It Rains.” And the all-hands-on-deck fried in the final act). But Scarlett also makes Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM stereo on DVD, closer “Middle of the Road” suitably rocks. a couple of choices some might find debat- and DTS-HD 5.1 and PCM stereo on Blu-ray, But overall this is a disappointing concert, able: namely, having Von Rothbart appear this is recommended. (F. Swietek) and Pretenders fans would be much better at the royal court in the early scenes and served by the finePretenders: Loose in L.A. showing Siegfried carrying Odette’s corpse Noah HHH (VL-1/04). Presented in a Blu-ray/DVD Com- from the lake in the final tableau. Overall, (2019) 110 min. DVD: $19.99. bo edition in Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo, however, he sticks with the tried-and-true, Virgil Films (avail. from most extras include a bonus audio CD and brief modeling his work after that of Petipa and distributors). Closed captioned. interview snippets with the Pretenders and Ivanov and even retaining Ashton’s popular Sight & Sound Theatres, guests. Optional. (R. Pitman) Neapolitan dance in Act 3. The combina- with venues in Ronks, PA, tion of the new and the familiar proves and Branson, MO, specializ- The Rolling Stones: delectable, especially when buttressed by es in family-friendly musical Bridges to Babylon magnificent new sets and costumes in the extravaganzas inspired by HHH traditional style by John Macfarlane. The stories from the Bible. In this videotaped (1998) 150 min. DVD: $24.99 production is also blessed with superb recording of the titular stage show, God in- (audio CDs included), Blu-ray: dancing from Marianela Nuñez, as Odette structs Noah to build an ark, stirring conflict $29.99 (audio CDs included). and her dark twin Odile, and Vadim Munt- between Noah and his clan and the wider Eagle Rock Entertainment (avail. from most agirov as the fickle Siegfried, whose love for society, which views the family as kooks. The distributors). the former is tested by his attraction to the highlight is the arrival of the animals—a mix The original bad boys of British rock are in latter. The other soloists, particularly Bennet of live creatures and inventive puppetry— fine fettle in this generous 22-song concert Gartside as Von Rothbart and Alexander along with an imaginative staging of the filmed (not in widescreen, unfortunately) Campbell as Benno, provide stellar support, rains that bring about the great flood that in 1998 in Bremen, Germany, during the the corps de ballet is well-drilled, and the Op- engulfs the world and sends Noah’s ark on a band’s tour in support of 1997’s Bridges to era House Orchestra plays exuberantly for 40-day journey. The production admittedly Babylon (one of their worst albums, although Koen Kessels. Presented in DTS 5.1 (DTS-HD shares some issues that plagued earlier Sight thankfully only five cuts are performed here). 5.1 on the Blu-ray release) and LPCM stereo, & Sound mountings such as Jonah: The Mu- This is one of the best Stones line-ups of all extras include an introduction to the ballet, sical (VL-1/18) and Moses (VL-1/19)—namely, time, with Mick Jagger (mostly vocals, some a featurette on Macfarlane’s design, and an wildly uneven acting from the large cast and guitar), Keith Richards (mostly guitar, some interview with former Royal Ballet principal a score (credited to four composers) that of- vocals), Ronnie Wood (guitar), and Charlie dancer Darcey Bussell on the swan troupe. ten feels like a second-rate riff on old-school Watts (drums) backed by Darryl Jones on One of the best versions available on disc, Broadway melodies. But the style here more bass, Chuck Leavell on keyboards, the late and this is highly recommended. (F. Swietek)

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 67 VIDEO LIBRARIAN Distributor Addresses

Contact information for distribu- Human Relations Media Women Make Movies tors of titles reviewed in this issue 59 Kensico Dr. 115 West 29th St., Ste. 1200 Mt. Kisco, NY 10549 New York, NY 10001 are listed below. Some titles must Tel: (800) 431-2050 Tel: (212) 925-0606 be ordered direct, while others are Web: hrmvideo.com Web: wmm.com available from a wide variety of Icarus Films YMAA Publication Center distributors. 32 Court St., 21st Fl. P.O. Box 480 Brooklyn, NY 11201 Wolfeboro, NH 03894 Tel: (800) 876-1710 Tel: (800) 669-8892 Web: icarusfilms.com Web: ymaa.com Bullfrog Films P.O. Box 149 Kino Lorber Edu Oley, PA 19547 333 W. 39th St., Ste. 503 Tel: (800) 543-3764 New York, NY 10018 Web: bullfrogfilms.com Tel: (800) 562-3330 Web: kinolorberedu.com Cinema Libre Studio 120 S. Victory Blvd., 1st Fl. Music Box Films Burbank, CA 91502 173 N. Morgan St. Tel: (818) 588-3033 Chicago, IL 60607 Web: cinemalibrestudio.com Tel: (312) 241-1320 Web: musicboxfilms.com Collective Eye Films 1315 SE 20th Ave., #3 Naxos of America Portland, OR 97214 1810 Columbia Ave., Ste. 28 Tel: (971) 236-2056 Franklin, TN 37064 Web: collectiveeye.org Tel: (615) 771-9393 Web: naxos.com Documentary Educational Resources 108 Water St., 5A Passion River Watertown, MA 02472 154 Mt. Bethel Rd. Tel: (800) 569-6621 Warren, NJ 07059 Web: der.org Tel: (732) 321-0711 Web: passionriver.com Dreamscape Media 1417 Timberwolf Dr. PBS Video Holland, OH 43528 2100 Crystal Dr. Tel: (877) 983-7326 Arlington, VA 22202 Web: dreamscapeab.com Tel: (800) 531-4727 Web: pbs.org Film Ideas 308 N. Wolf Rd. Seventh Art Releasing Wheeling, IL 60090 6579 Pickwick St. Tel: (800) 475-3456 Los Angeles, CA 90042 Web: filmideas.com Tel: (323) 259-8259 Web: 7thart.com Film Movement 237 West 35th St., Ste. 604 SISU Home Entertainment New York, NY 10001 22-19 41 Ave., Ste. #509 Tel: (866) 937-3456 Long Island City, NY 11101 Web: filmmovement.com Tel: (800) 223-7478 Web: sisuent.com First Run Features 630 Ninth Ave., Ste. 1213 TMW Media Group New York, NY 10036 2321 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Tel: (800) 229-8575 Venice, CA 90291 Web: firstrunfeatures.com Tel: (800) 262-8862 Web: tmwmedia.com Grasshopper Film 12 East 32nd St., 4th Fl. Tugg New York, NY 10016 4210 Spicewood Springs Rd., Ste. 200 Tel: (646) 586-3060 Austin, TX 78759 Web: grasshopperfilm.com Tel: (855) 321-8844 Web: edu.tugg.com Green Planet Films P.O. Box 815 The Video Project Stonington, CT 06378 145 Ninth St., Ste. 230 Tel: (415) 377-5471 San Francisco, CA 94103 Web: greenplanetfilms.org Tel: (800) 475-2638 Web: videoproject.com Heaven on Earth Creations 7 Mimosa Rd. Vision Video Santa Fe, NM 87508 P.O. Box 540 Tel: (877) 585-7864 Worcester, PA 19490 Web: heavenonearthcreations.org Tel: (800) 523-0226 Web: visionvideo.com

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 68 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 Title Index

3 Faces ...... 14 Die Schöpfung ...... 65 Modest Heroes ...... 64 350 Days ...... 55 Dies Irae: Complete Series ...... 63 Nicholas & Alexandra: The Letters ...... 58 3100: Run and Become ...... 56 Diesel: The Industry’s Smokescreen ...... 55 Nino Rota: La notte di un nevrastenico/ All Is True ...... 14 Domino ...... 16 I due timidi ...... 66 All You Ever Wished For ...... 14 Ecstasy ...... 18 Noah ...... 67 Andrew Carnegie: Rags to Riches, Power to Peace .... 59 El Chicano ...... 18 Nun, The ...... 38 Ash Is Purest White ...... 14 Erlprince, The ...... 18 O Captain, My Captain ...... 44 Attenborough and the Sea Dragon ...... 51 Everything is Free ...... 18 Ocean Quest: A Race to Map the Ocean Floor ...... 51 Attila ...... 65 Extraordinary World of Charley Bowers, The ...... 32 Okko’s Inn ...... 64 Avengers: Endgame ...... 14 Fantomas: Three Film Collection ...... 32 One Sings, the Other Doesn’t ...... 38 Ayiti Mon Amour ...... 16 Fast Color ...... 18 Other Story, The ...... 22 Baristas ...... 54 Father I Never Knew ...... 46 Outlander: Season Four ...... 41 Basilisk: The Ouka Ninja Scrolls, Part One ...... 62 Fatima, or The Brave Children ...... 65 Patrick Melrose ...... 42 Bedroom Window, The ...... 32 Feliz Año Tijuana (Happy New Year Tijuana) ...... 19 Peacemaker, The ...... 61 Before Homosexuals ...... 54 Ferrante Fever ...... 56 Plane Truths ...... 53 Big Bad Fox and Other Tales ...... 16 Film Trilogy by Ingmar Bergman, A ...... 34 Plus One ...... 22 Big Clock, The ...... 32 Game Girls ...... 48 Pokémon Detective Pikachu ...... 23 Billion Dollar Bully ...... 55 Gandhi’s Gift ...... 59 Pretenders with Friends ...... 67 Birth on the Border ...... 46 Gaslight ...... 34 Qi Gong: 30 Day Challenge ...... 53 Blaze ...... 16 Genesis 2.0 ...... 51 Qi Gong for Beginners ...... 54 Blood ...... 41 Ghoulia ...... 44 Reb Elimelech & the Chassidic Legacy of Boss: The Black Experience in Business ...... 55 Giulietta e Romeo ...... 66 Brotherhood ...... 46 BRD Trilogy, The ...... 32 Goddesses of Food, The ...... 54 Relaxer ...... 23 Brightburn ...... 16 Golden Kamuy, Season One ...... 63 Return of the Hero ...... 23 Cancer Rebellion ...... 52 Good Breast, The ...... 53 Rise of the Rockets ...... 52 Catwalk: Tales from the Cat Show Circuit ...... 54 Gospel According to André, The ...... 60 Robbery ...... 38 Cherry Grove Stories ...... 47 Great Buddha+ ...... 19 Rocketman ...... 23 Chio’s School Road: Complete Series ...... 62 Guilty Until Proven Guilty ...... 50 Rolling Stones: Bridges to Babylon ...... 67 Combat Obscura ...... 57 Guy ...... 19 Rondo ...... 23 Coppélia ...... 65 Hail Satan? ...... 19 Ruben Brandt, Collector ...... 24 Creating Woodstock ...... 57 Hal ...... 19 Running Man, The ...... 38 Crime + Punishment ...... 50 Haruchika—Haruta & Chika: Complete Series ...... 63 Sam Spiegel: Conquering Hollywood ...... 61 Current Revolution ...... 47 Healing the Healers ...... 46 Sara Stein From Berlin to Tel Aviv ...... 42 Dances with the Dragons: Complete Series ...... 62 Henry IV ...... 56 Screwball ...... 24 Dark Sense ...... 16 Her Right Foot ...... 44 Searching for Ingmar Bergman ...... 24 Darling in the Franxx: Part One ...... 62 High Life ...... 20 Secret Life of Pets 2, The ...... 24 Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody ...... 62 Homo Spatius ...... 51 Sex Madness Revealed ...... 24 Der Freischütz ...... 65 House in the Fields ...... 48 Shadow ...... 26 Devil We Know , The ...... 47 House of Games ...... 34 Shaft in Africa ...... 38 Dictator’s Playbook, The ...... 47 Hustle, The ...... 20 Shedding Light on Energy: Energy Efficiency ...... 52 Il Castello di Kenilworth ...... 66 Shoah: Four Sisters ...... 58 In Exile ...... 48 SoulMate ...... 26 In Pursuit of Justice ...... 50 South Park: Complete Twenty-Second Season ...... 42 In the Starlight ...... 51 Southern Pride ...... 49 Advertiser Directory Inventing Tomorrow ...... 52 Sower, The ...... 26 Invisible Hands ...... 3 Space: 1999—Complete Series ...... 42 Action! Library Media Service ...... 53 Iyengar: The Man, Yoga, and the Student’s Straight Talk about Sexual Harassment ...... 49 Baker & Taylor Entertainment ...... 2 Journey ...... 60 Strawberry Flavored Plastic ...... 26 Breaking Glass Pictures ...... 35 Jack Ryan: Season One ...... 41 Summer Stock ...... 40 California Newsreel ...... 59 Jean-Luc Godard: The Image Book ...... 20 Sun Is Also a Star, The ...... 26 Collective Eye ...... 49 Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People ...... 60 Swan Lake ...... 67 Criterion ...... 39 D-Facto Filmstudio ...... 70 Junji Ito Collection: Complete Series ...... 63 Swing Time ...... 40 Dreamscape ...... 45 Kakuriyo—Bed & Breakfast for Spirits, Part One...... 63 Teasing Master Takagi-San: Complete Series ...... 64 EPF Media ...... 4 Kanarie ...... 20 That Way Madness Lies… ...... 46 Film Movement ...... 15, 17 Killing Eve: Season Two ...... 41 They Might Be Giants ...... 40 Films Media Group ...... 6 King Lear ...... 56 Tickled ...... 26 First Run Features ...... 11 Kleptocrats, The ...... 48 Tiger Milk ...... 28 Green Planet Films ...... 49 La Fresque ...... 66 To a More Perfect Union: U.S. v. Windsor ...... 50 Icarus Films ...... 31 Le Corsaire ...... 66 Tolkien ...... 28 In the Family ...... 70 Let the Sunshine In ...... 20 Tomorrow Man, The ...... 28 IndiePix Films ...... 33 Limits of My World, The ...... 44 Transit ...... 28 Kino Lorber Education ...... 25 Long Ride, The ...... 57 Two Faces of a Bamiléké Woman, The ...... 48 Midwest Tape ...... 72 Ma ...... 22 War and Peace ...... 40 Music Box Films ...... 21, 43 Madame X ...... 34 We Have Always Lived in the Castle ...... 30 National Media Market (NMM) ...... 7 Man Who Shot the Great War, The ...... 57 We’re Still Together ...... 30 NCircle Entertainment ...... 36, 37 Maria the Virgin Witch ...... 64 White Crow, The ...... 30 Oscilloscope Pictures ...... 27 Marquis of Wavrin: From the Manor to the Who is Arthur Chu? ...... 61 Passion River Films ...... 71 Jungle ...... 60 Why the Jews? ...... 49 PBS Video ...... 9 Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjar: Complete Will Work for Views: The Lo-Fi Life of Weird Strand Releasing ...... 29 Series ...... 64 Paul ...... 57 Vision Video ...... 13 Meeting Gorbachev ...... 22 Woman at War ...... 30 Wow Now Entertainment ...... 5 Memory After Belsen ...... 58 Woodstock: Three Days That Defined a YMAA Publication Center ...... 53 Men in Black: International ...... 22 Generation ...... 58 Miss Friman’s War ...... 41 Yomeddine ...... 30

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 69 VIDEO LIBRARIAN Final Frame

the arrival of a new editor (who I was told accumulating Regal Cinema did not own a VCR), I launched a short-lived gift cards that we will have Hollywood Blues companion newsletter to Video Librarian a very hard time using up It’s a fact that as people age they go to see called Video Movies. During that time, I saw without resorting to sui- movies in theaters less. When I was younger, everything that was playing in theaters. cidal amounts of popcorn, I assumed this phenomenon was due to elders And I distinctly remember the two fi lms soda, and Junior Mints. slowing down mentally and physically as that marked a turning point for me. In April Unfortunately, our local theaters—like they headed into the proverbial sunset years. 1993, my wife Anne and I sat in an otherwise most non-metro chains—don’t screen much Now, as I swiftly approach that Beatles’ song empty theater watching Who’s the Man?, independent cinema, so we rely on DVD, milestone in “When I’m Sixty-Four,” I have starring Dr. Dre and Denis Leary. Halfway Blu-ray, and streaming to watch most movies. a somewhat different take. through, we both migrated to the back of And many of those are wonderful fi lms (we Namely, Hollywood movies today suck. the venue and began doing calisthenics out enjoyed a wide variety last year—ranging I recently saw Amy Scott’s fi ne documenta- of sheer boredom. And in July 1993, I found from the Coen brothers’ Netfl ix indieThe ry Hal (reviewed on page 19) on director Hal myself (Anne at that point would sooner be Balled of Buster Scruggs to Nadine Labaki’s Ashby, whose remarkable string of critical home changing the oil in our car) sitting Lebanese fi lmCapernaum ). hits in the 1970s included Harold and Maude, amongst pre-teen girls as I struggled to stay To be clear, my curmudgeonly gripe lies Shampoo, Bound for Glory, The Last Detail, awake during the farm comedy Son in Law purely with the profit-driven, brain-dead Coming Home, and Being There. As many oth- with Pauly Shore. This, for me, was the fi nal Hollywood fl icks that form the bulk of what’s ers have attested, the ‘70s were a particularly turkey in the straw, and I asked myself that found in multiplexes today. fertile time for American fi lms, a Golden Age age-old existential question: “Why am I Titles currently playing in our town in- spurred in part by the social and political here?” clude: Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Scary upheavals that rocked the nation in the late Fast forward to today. I cannot speak highly Stories to Tell in the Dark, The Art of Racing in ‘60s and early ‘70s, which were refl ected in enough of our indefatigable movie review- the Rain (I love dogs, but please stop), Fast & the movies. ers—Susan Granger and Frank Swietek, chief Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, The Lion King, Some of this carried into the 1980s and among them—who endure loads of dreck to and Spider-Man: Far From Home. early ‘90s, as witnessed in the rise and fl our- fi nd the cinematic jewels amongst the seem- Color me unexcited. ishing of independent cinema in the fi lms of ingly endless stream of kiddie movies made Although we may go see Tarantino’s Once David Lynch, John Sayles, Quentin Tarantino, to sell toys, tired and raunchy sex comedies, Upon a Time in Hollywood. If nothing else, it Jane Campion, and many others. From 1989- ho-hum horror fl icks, and bloated superhero might remind us of what it was like once upon 92, I wrote a column for Library Journal called epics. I truly bow before their dedication. a time in Hollywood. “Video Movies,” and when that ended with Anne and I have about $200 in steadily Randy Pitman

VIDEO LIBRARIAN 70 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 NEW BACK-TO-SCHOOL RELEASES TO JUMPSTART YOUR FALL CATALOG

THUNDER ROAD MEETING GORBACHEV From Academy Award Nominated Director Werner Herzog

"It walks so many ﬁne lines between comedy and drama that the balancing act is exhilarating to watch."

"Cummings, who also wrote and directed the "Herzog has a knack for extracting pithy, poetic responses ﬁlm, has delivered a tragicomic remarkable from his subjects, but here he outdoes himself." performance in the lead"

Werner Herzog and Andre Singer's riveting documentary, filled with unforgettable archive From the Sundance-winning short ﬁlm, Thunder Road follows ofﬁcer Arnaud on a materials and based on three never before seen interviews, provides incredible access to journey to raise his young daughter as a love letter to his late mom. arguably the world's greatest living politician.

A tragicomic portrait of a failing authority ﬁgure in the American South, the ﬁlm will Now 88 and babattling illness, the visionary Mikhail Gorbachev, the former General Secretary of have you laughing and crying, often at the same time. the U.S.S.R., is still gently but resolutely pushing towards his goals. Herzog celebrates Gorbachev's three remarkable accomplishments: negotiations with the U.S. to reduce nuclear *Special Features Include: The Robbery Short Film & An Interview With Jim weapons, cessation of Soviet control of Eastern Europe and the reunification of Germany, and Cummings by Gilles Vaudois the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Eastern bloc. All of this in six years! Herzog & Singer explore pivotal moments in history through a series of exclusive one-on-one interviews with the man who ended the Cold War. Narrative | Comedy | Drama | Family Studies | Psychology 92 min. |BLU RAY UPC: 602573752838 | DVD UPC: 602573752838| Documentary | Political Science| Russian Studies | Journalism | Cinema Studies SRP Blu-ray: $34.95| SRP DVD: $24.95| PPR: $199.00 | Closed Caption 92 min. | UPC: 888608668415| SRP: $24.95 | PPR: $399.00 |Closed Captioned

KATHY GRIFFIN: THE KLEPTOCRATS A HELL OF A STORY Produced by Academy-Award Nominee Mike Lerner “Enormously funny (Hell and Back Again, Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer) (like her or not, anyone who says Grifﬁn isn’t “Gripping and Engaging” “The tale of a pilloried woman who ﬁghts back... raw, vulgar, and smart.” “Jaw-dropping irony”

“Two years after the comedian’s infamous Trump photo, she’s back - battered but unbowed by “Bombshell Documentary” right-wing cancel culture.” It is the world’s biggest white-collar heist involving government corruption at the highest level, abuse of power and international money laundering. On May 30, 2017 an image of Griffin holding a mask that resembled the severed head of President Trump was released- the image went global and everything she had worked for in A hot-shot financier embezzles $3.5 billion USD from Malaysia’s wealth fund 1MDB (1 Malaysia her life, vanished overnight. Development Berhad); money from the audacious scam flows into New York and The Hollywood, where the thieves court A-list celebrities and even finance Leonardo DiCaprio’s passion project The film chronicles the unprecedented and historic story of an iconic American comedian “The Wolf of Wall Street.” overcoming a political and media takedown following the release of the controversial photo. But investigative journalists ffrom the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and the Hollywood Reporter trace the money trail and unravel the scheme, the US Department of Justice gets involved, the Prime Minister and his inner circle are implicated, assets are frozen, money is seized and the Malaysian people fight back. Documentary | Comedy | Political Science | American Studies Documentary | Crime | Business | International Studies | Political Science | Journalism 106 min. | UPC: 602573752852| SRP: $24.95| PPR: $325.00 | Closed Captioned 84 min. | UPC: 888608668408| SRP: $24.95 | PPR: $299.00 | Closed Captioned

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